A US judge has ruled in favor of WhatsApp, finding Israel’s NSO Group liable for hacking users through a bug in the messaging app. The ruling comes after WhatsApp sued NSO Group in 2019, alleging it installed spy software on victims’ mobile devices without permission.
The decision means NSO Group will not be granted immunity and must proceed to trial to determine damages. Cybersecurity experts have welcomed the judgment, calling it a landmark ruling that holds spyware companies accountable for their actions.
NSO Group had argued its technology helps law enforcement fight crime, but the court found this did not shield it from liability under federal law. The US Supreme Court previously blocked NSO’s appeal of the decision, allowing the lawsuit to proceed.
The ruling has been hailed as a win for privacy, with WhatsApp stating it will continue to work to protect users’ private communication.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/technology/cybersecurity/us-judge-finds-israels-nso-group-liable-hacking-whatsapp-lawsuit-2024-12-21