A California court has ruled against the Israeli company NSO in a lawsuit filed by Meta, holding it accountable for hacking over 1,400 WhatsApp accounts in 2019 using the Pegasus spyware. The lawsuit, described by Meta as a significant victory for privacy and user rights, marks an unprecedented blow to the spyware industry.

According to the Hebrew newspaper Clackist, the hacked accounts included those of journalists, human rights activists, and opposition figures. Vulnerabilities in WhatsApp and Apple's operating system were exploited to access photos, text messages, emails, and even encrypted communications, highlighting the extensive reach of the spyware.

The court ordered NSO to pay compensation and imposed punitive measures for its refusal to provide the software's source code, despite a prior resolution requiring it. The decision underscores the court’s commitment to accountability within the spyware industry.

WhatsApp CEO Will Cathcart hailed the ruling as a triumph for privacy and a powerful stand against illegal surveillance. He emphasized the importance of protecting users from invasive technologies that undermine fundamental rights.

The resolution delivers a major setback to NSO and the spyware industry, reinforcing global efforts to safeguard privacy and prevent the misuse of surveillance tools for illicit purposes.

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