The NSO Group, behind the Israeli spyware maker Pegasis, Meta must pay $ 167.25 million To hack 1,400 users in the WhatsApp. A federal jury in California decided on Tuesday when the court found the NSO group responsible for the attacks last year.
Meta filed a lawsuit against the NSO group in 2019 when the Citizens Lab faced a threat that allowed the spyware vendor to be installed by phone call – even if consumers did not choose it. Pagasis can then activate the user’s camera and microphone, see emails and text messages, and access location information. Hack targeted workers, journalists, diplomats and others. Apple has also sued the NSO group to target iPhone users with Pigasis.
The jury also awarded Meta with $ 444,719 compensation losses. “Today’s decision in the WhatsApp case is an important step for privacy and security, because the first victory against the development and use of illegal spyware, which threatens everyone’s safety and privacy,” Meta said. One announcement. “The jury’s decision to force the NSO, a notorious foreign spyware trader, is an important obstacle to this malicious industry.”
Moving forward, Meta will try to secure a court order to prevent the NSO group from targeting the WhatsApp. It also published unofficial copies from videos submitted during the trial, and says it will donate to digital rights organizations that are working to protect consumers from spyware.
NSO Group spokesman Gul Laner says the company will “carefully review the details of the decision and follow appropriate legal treatment, including further action and appeal.”
Update, May 6: Information was added from the NSO group.
