U.S. Judge Phyllis Hamilton Rules for WhatsApp in NSO Group Lawsuit, Pegasus Spyware Affected 1,400 Users

Dec 21, 2024, 02:47 AM

A U.S. judge has ruled in favor of Meta Platforms Inc.'s WhatsApp in a lawsuit against Israel's NSO Group, finding the company liable for hacking and breach of contract. The ruling stems from NSO Group's exploitation of a bug in WhatsApp to install its Pegasus spyware on the devices of approximately 1,400 users, including journalists, human rights activists, and political dissidents. Judge Phyllis Hamilton of the Northern District of California made the decision, marking a significant legal victory for WhatsApp. The case, which began in 2019, will now proceed to a jury trial in March 2025 to determine the damages owed to WhatsApp. The judge's decision holds NSO Group accountable for its actions, rejecting the company's defense that it was not responsible for how its clients used the spyware.