Meta Wins Landmark $167.25 Million Settlement in Pegasus Spyware Attack Case

In a significant ruling, a federal jury in California has directed the Israeli spyware-maker NSO Group to pay Meta $167.25 million for hacking 1,400 users across WhatsApp. The decision comes after the court found NSO Group responsible for the attacks that took place last year.

The legal battle between Meta and NSO Group dates back to 2019 when Citizen Lab discovered a vulnerability that allowed the spyware vendor to infiltrate devices with Pegasus through phone calls, even if the users did not answer. Pegasus could then gain access to the camera, microphone, emails, text messages, and location information of the targeted individuals, including activists, journalists, diplomats, and others. Apple has also filed a lawsuit against NSO Group for targeting iPhone users using Pegasus.

The federal jury not only ordered NSO Group to pay Meta $167.25 million but also awarded $444,719 in compensatory damages. Meta hailed the verdict as a crucial step towards safeguarding privacy and security, marking the first victory against the illicit use of spyware that jeopardizes the safety and privacy of individuals. The company emphasized the importance of holding NSO Group accountable to deter the malicious activities of the spyware industry.

Moving forward, Meta intends to seek a court order to prevent NSO Group from targeting WhatsApp users. Additionally, the company has released unofficial transcripts from deposition videos during the trial and pledged to support digital rights organizations working to protect users from spyware.

NSO Group spokesperson, Gil Lainer, stated that the company will carefully review the verdict and explore all legal options, including further legal proceedings and a possible appeal.

Update, May 6th: Additional information provided by NSO Group.