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U.S. Court Bars NSO Group from WhatsApp and Orders Destruction of Hacking Code
A significant legal ruling from a U.S. district court has permanently restricted Israeli spyware firm NSO Group from utilizing its technology to infiltrate WhatsApp, a leading encrypted messaging platform.
Judge Phyllis Hamilton of the Northern District of California issued a permanent injunction against NSO Group following findings that it had exploited a zero-day vulnerability to reverse-engineer WhatsApp, compromising approximately 1,400 devices. The court highlighted that NSO’s actions posed threats not only to individual privacy but also to the business integrity of tech companies safeguarding user data.
This legal battle stems from claims by Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, which described NSO Group as a “notorious foreign spyware merchant.” In response to the ruling, Meta celebrated the verdict as a vital advancement for user privacy and security.
NSO Group had previously appealed the ruling, contesting the $167 million in punitive damages as excessive and arguing that the injunction jeopardized its operational viability. Subsequently, Judge Hamilton reduced the damages to $4 million while maintaining the injunction, citing NSO’s complicity in enabling government surveillance against dissidents, journalists, and political opponents.
The case underscores the techniques potentially used in the illicit surveillance operations attributed to NSO Group. Utilizing adversary tactics outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, such as Initial Access through exploited vulnerabilities and Persistence achieved via reverse engineering, NSO’s stride into unauthorized access exemplifies significant security risks that extend beyond individual users to encompass broad implications for companies invested in protecting their data.
In her ruling, Judge Hamilton stressed the detrimental effects of unauthorized access to user data, which inflicts not just reputational harm but tangible business damages. Under the court’s decision, NSO Group must eliminate any code linked to WhatsApp and is barred from targeting the messaging service moving forward.
NSO Group’s financial trajectory has been tumultuous, marked by significant leadership changes and restrictions imposed by the U.S. Entity List, limiting its access to American technology. Recent reports indicate that a group of U.S. investors, led by Hollywood producer Robert Simonds, has expressed interest in acquiring NSO Group, potentially valuing the company in the tens of millions.
