Pegasus Spyware Maker Fined

Uploaded on 2025-05-21 in TECHNOLOGY--Hackers, NEWS-Cybersecurity News, FREE TO VIEW, BUSINESS-Services-Law

Your phone could become a criminal’s tool, silently spilling your texts, calls, and photos to a shadowy hacker - all without you clicking a single link. This serious threat is created by Pegasus, the infamous spyware developed by Israel’s NSO Group, which targeted 1,400 WhatsApp users in 2019.

Now, the Israeli firm behind Pegasus, NSO Group, has been ordered to pay Meta $444,000 damages for this hacking attack that took place that year.

For years, the Israeli spyware company NSO Group has quietly equipped governments with potent tools to hack phones and monitor dissidents. However, a jury in California recently awarded Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook) over $167 million (£125 million) in damages from NSO Group for exploiting WhatsApp in 2019.

Meta created a webpage announcing the jury’s decision, stating that it “is a critical deterrent to this malicious industry” aimed at combatting illegal acts against American companies and users worldwide.

“Six years ago, we detected and stopped an attack by the notorious spyware developer NSO against WhatsApp and its users, and today, our court case has made history as the first victory against illegal spyware that threatens the safety and privacy of everyone,” Meta announced on May 6th.

Additionally, Meta described this ruling as “an important step forward for privacy and security, marking the first victory against the development and use of illegal spyware that threatens everyone’s safety and privacy.”

Pegasus is malicious software that can be installed remotely on mobile phones to access microphones, cameras, and other personal data without user consent. Based in Tel Aviv, NSO Group has developed and sold their technology around the word, and has faced accusations of enabling authoritarian regimes to monitor journalists, activists, and political figures.

Meta stated that this case signifies “the first victory against the development and use of illegal spyware.” NSO, in response, said it would “carefully examine the verdict's details and pursue appropriate legal remedies, including further proceedings and an appeal.”

This case is notable as the first time a developer of spyware has been held responsible for exploiting vulnerabilities in smartphone platforms.

NSO claims its products are intended solely for use against serious criminals and terrorists. However, there are ongoing allegations that some governments have used the technology to target individuals they consider threats to national security.

Pegasus became the center of global controversy in 2021 when a leaked list of 50,000 phone numbers of suspected victims was revealed to major media outlets. The leak identified politicians, heads of state, business executives, activists, members of Arab royal families, and over 180 journalists.

This legal battle has spanned six years and involves multiple major tech companies. Apple previously filed a similar lawsuit against NSO Group but withdrew it in 2024 to avoid exposing its internal security systems. In contrast, Meta’s case resulted in a court ruling in their favor - an uncommon win against a surveillance vendor.

While this case may mark a turning point in how courts and tech companies confront the spyware industry, the fight against digital surveillance tools remains ongoing.

Image: Ideogram

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