NSO Group, the developer behind the sophisticated Pegasus spyware, has been ordered by a U.S. court to provide its code for Pegasus and other surveillance products to WhatsApp. This directive comes as part of ongoing litigation initiated by WhatsApp, a Meta-owned communication app, against NSO Group. The lawsuit, which began in 2019, alleges that NSO’s spyware was used to spy on 1,400 WhatsApp users over a two-week period.
Pegasus spyware is known for its capability to extract information from a target’s phone without their permission or knowledge, representing a significant privacy and security concern. The court’s decision, made by Judge Phyllis Hamilton, marks a significant legal victory for WhatsApp. It underscores the gravity of the accusations against NSO Group and the broader implications for privacy and cybersecurity.
NSO Group, which operates under close regulation by the Israeli ministry of defense, has faced criticism and scrutiny for the alleged misuse of its spyware. The software is capable of hacking any mobile phone, gaining unrestricted access to calls, emails, photos, location data, and encrypted messages without the user’s knowledge. The Biden administration blacklisted NSO in 2021, citing actions contrary to U.S. foreign policy and national security interests.
Sources include: The Guardian