US Court Bans Israeli Spyware Company NSO from Targeting WhatsApp After Meta Lawsuit
In a landmark ruling, a US court has permanently banned Israel’s NSO Group from targeting Meta Platforms’ WhatsApp messaging service — a move that could effectively bring the controversial spyware company to its knees.
US District Court Judge Phyllis Hamilton issued a 25-page ruling on Friday, placing a permanent injunction on NSO Group’s operations against WhatsApp. The decision comes after years of legal battles and growing concerns about the company’s Pegasus spyware — a tool widely accused of enabling surveillance and human rights violations across the globe.
Judge Hamilton also offered NSO some financial relief, reducing the punitive damages from nearly US$167 million (RM705 million) to US$4 million. Still, the permanent injunction strikes at the core of NSO’s business model, which has depended heavily on exploiting vulnerabilities in popular communication platforms like WhatsApp.
The ruling marks a major victory for Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, which has fought for six years to hold NSO accountable. “Today’s ruling bans spyware maker NSO from ever targeting WhatsApp and our global users again,” said Will Cathcart, head of WhatsApp, in a statement on X. “We applaud this decision that comes after years of litigation to protect members of civil society.”
NSO, however, maintains that its tools are used to fight crime and terrorism. The company emphasized that while the injunction affects its operations, it doesn’t restrict its clients — government and law enforcement agencies — from continuing to use its technology.
Following the judgment, NSO stated it was reviewing its legal options and assessing its “next steps accordingly.” Recently, the company was reportedly acquired by a group led by Hollywood producer Robert Simonds, as reported by TechCrunch earlier this month.
This ruling sends a strong message about accountability in the digital age — that even the most powerful surveillance companies must face consequences when technology crosses ethical lines. It’s a victory not just for Meta, but for privacy, human rights, and the millions who depend on secure communication every day.