Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Political aide to the governor of Gilan Province in northern Iran: Air defenses in Rasht shot down a small hostile drone flying over the city
Israeli media: The presence of General Qaani at the “victory celebrations” in Tehran puts an end to the rumors and earlier reports claiming he had been assassinated
Israeli media: There is division within the US administration itself over the extent of what the strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities actually achieved
Israeli media: US intelligence also says Iran’s centrifuges remained largely intact
Israeli media: Netanyahu and Trump celebrated too soon, as US intelligence says Iran’s uranium stockpile was not damaged
Israeli Channel 13: The objectives set by Netanyahu for the operation against Iran have not been achieved
Early US intel assessment suggests strikes on Iran did not destroy nuclear sites, CNN reports, citing sources
Israeli media platform: An additional soldier has been confirmed killed in the serious incident in Gaza, who had previously been considered "missing" for some time
Pezeshkian: History will not forget how Iran’s enemies broke their pledges and agreements, resorting to aggression and invasion even during negotiations
Israeli media: Between 14 and 16 soldiers were injured in the incident, which reportedly involved two separate units at the brigade and division level

Israeli tech firm NSO fined $167mln in Pegasus WhatsApp hack case

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 11 May 2025 12:54
  • 2 Shares
3 Min Read

The Israeli firm behind Pegasus spyware must pay WhatsApp $167 million in a landmark ruling over illegal surveillance of more than 1,000 users.

Listen
  • x
  • Israeli tech firm NSO fined $167m in Pegasus spyware WhatsApp case
    A logo adorns a wall on a branch of the Israeli NSO Group company, near the town of Sapir, Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021 (AP)

NSO, the Israeli firm behind the controversial Pegasus spyware, has been ordered to pay $167 million to WhatsApp, following a landmark lawsuit over the unauthorized surveillance of 1,400 users in 2019, BBC reported.

The ruling marks a significant step in holding spyware developers accountable for exploiting vulnerabilities in mobile platforms.

The case, brought by WhatsApp’s parent company Meta, also resulted in an additional $444,000 in damages awarded to the tech giant.

Read more: US judge rules Israeli NSO Group liable for WhatsApp hacking

Pegasus accused of enabling global surveillance abuses

Pegasus is a form of malicious software developed by the NSO Group, capable of remotely infiltrating mobile phones and accessing cameras, microphones, and data without the user's knowledge.

Though the company insists the spyware is used solely against terrorists and serious criminals, it has faced extensive criticism for allegedly enabling authoritarian regimes to target journalists, political figures, and activists.

The spyware gained international notoriety in 2021 when a leaked list of 50,000 phone numbers—suspected targets of surveillance—was obtained by major global media outlets. The list included journalists, Arab royals, politicians, and activists, raising alarms about widespread misuse.

Related News

Signal clone used by Trump security advisor hacked, data may be leaked

US takes Meta to court over Instagram, WhatsApp acquisitions

Read more: Israeli Pegasus, among others, puts media freedom in EU at climax risk

Meta calls verdict victory for tech and privacy rights

Meta hailed the jury’s decision as a milestone, as it is "the first victory against the development and use of illegal spyware.”

"The jury's decision to force NSO to pay damages is a critical deterrent to this malicious industry against their illegal acts aimed at American companies," the company said.

Among those believed to have been targeted by Pegasus are French President Emmanuel Macron, associates of Jamal Khashoggi—the Saudi journalist murdered in Istanbul in 2018—and officials within the UK’s Downing Street and Foreign Office, according to findings by Canadian-based Citizen Lab.

The spyware’s reach and discretion have made it a global concern, prompting investigations, sanctions, and calls for regulation of digital surveillance tools.

Legal precedent could trigger more lawsuits against NSO

This case marks the first time a spyware developer has been legally penalized for exploiting smartphone vulnerabilities.

NSO Group responded to the ruling by saying it would “carefully examine the verdict’s details and pursue appropriate legal remedies, including further proceedings and an appeal.”

Despite denying wrongdoing, NSO may now face further legal challenges from other technology companies whose platforms were allegedly compromised by Pegasus.

"We firmly believe that our technology plays a critical role in preventing serious crime and terrorism and is deployed responsibly by authorised government agencies," NSO said in a statement.

The lawsuit caps a six-year legal battle between Meta and the NSO Group, setting a precedent for future accountability in the spyware industry.

Read more: Israeli attempts to obstruct US case against Pegasus spyware exposed

  • Whatsapp
  • Israel
  • Meta
  • Pegasus

Most Read

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian attends a protest following the US attacks on nuclear sites in Iran, in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

Iran declares victory as ceasefire forces Israeli retreat

  • Politics
  • 24 Jun 2025
Israeli workers survey the site where a missile launched from Iran struck in Haifa on Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

True Promise 3, wave 20: 40 missiles launched, Kheibar-Shekan in first

  • Politics
  • 22 Jun 2025
Rescue team work at the site where a missile launched from Iran struck Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, June 16, 2025 (AP)

Wave 12 of Operation True Promise 3 launched, Sejjil deployed: IRGC

  • Politics
  • 18 Jun 2025
Iran launches strikes on Israeli targets, despite alleged ceasefire

Iran victorious as ceasefire with 'Israel' takes effect

  • Politics
  • 24 Jun 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
'Israel's' medical supply ban to Gaza threatens newborns' lives
Health

Gaza's newborns at risk as 'Israel' blocks baby formula, supplies

Tehran
MENA

Thousands rally in Tehran in support of Iranian Armed Forces

FT
Palestine

UK’s Co-op halts sales of Israeli carrots over rights violations

Israeli security forces inspect the site struck by an Iranian missile strike that killed several people, in Beer al-Sabe', Occupied Palestine, on Tuesday, June 24, 2025 (AP)
Politics

In numbers: Iran's True Promise 3 devastates 'Israel' in 12 days

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS