Court Issues Permanent Ban Against Spyware Maker
A federal judge has granted Meta Platforms‘ request for a permanent injunction blocking Israeli cyberintelligence firm NSO Group from targeting users of its WhatsApp messaging service, according to court documents reviewed by multiple news outlets. The ruling represents a significant legal victory for the messaging platform after six years of litigation over alleged surveillance activities.
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Damages Dramatically Reduced in Surprise Ruling
While granting the permanent ban, U.S. District Judge Phyllis Hamilton simultaneously reduced the financial penalty NSO Group must pay from over $167 million to approximately $4 million, sources indicate. The reduction came after the judge determined the court lacked sufficient evidence to classify NSO’s behavior as “particularly egregious,” thereby capping punitive damages at a 9-to-1 ratio relative to compensatory damages.
The original $167 million judgment was handed down earlier this year by a jury that found NSO Group liable for targeting more than 1,400 WhatsApp users during a 2019 campaign. Victims reportedly included human rights activists and journalists who used the encrypted messaging platform for sensitive communications.
WhatsApp Hails “Accountability” Victory
In a statement provided to Courthouse News Service, WhatsApp head Will Cathcart celebrated the permanent injunction as a critical protection for users worldwide. “We applaud this decision that comes after six years of litigation to hold NSO accountable for targeting members of civil society,” Cathcart stated, adding that the ruling “bans spyware maker NSO from ever targeting WhatsApp and our global users again.”
The complete court order, available as PDF documentation, establishes permanent restrictions against NSO Group’s access to WhatsApp services, analysts suggest. This legal precedent comes amid growing concerns about digital surveillance and increasing interest in privacy-focused alternatives within the technology sector.
Broader Implications for Surveillance Industry
Legal experts following the case suggest the ruling could have significant implications for the surveillance technology industry, particularly regarding accountability for targeting encrypted communication platforms. The decision arrives during a period of heightened scrutiny around commercial spyware vendors and their client relationships.
Industry observers note that this case reflects broader market trends toward digital privacy protection and comes alongside other related innovations in secure communications. The technology landscape continues to evolve with industry developments in privacy-enhancing technologies and increased regulatory attention on surveillance tools.
Meanwhile, other recent technology sector developments indicate growing attention to security vulnerabilities across digital platforms. The WhatsApp-NSO case represents one of the most high-profile legal challenges to the commercial surveillance industry to date, according to reports monitoring these sector-wide changes.
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