It's About Time: NSO Group Pays Million-Dollar Fine for Hacking WhatsApp Users
- penned by Malte Mansholt
- ⏱️ Approx 2 minutes
Intercepted WhatsApp activities lead to multi-million dollar penalties for hackers. - WhatsApp hackers now face massive pay-outs: their illicit activities into the messaging app uncovered.
The cat is out of the bag! Despite WhatsApp's encryption efforts, the Israeli hacking organization NSO Group reportedly bypassed those measures in 2018, spying on thousands of users - secretly controlling their camera, microphone, and even reading messages. Fast forward to now, the NSO Group must shell out a whopping $167.25 million, roughly €147 million, to WhatsApp owner Meta.
The California district court jury handed down this verdict against the NSO Group after Meta exposed their snooping activities. It turned out the NSO Group, on behalf of its clients, was spying on more than 1,400 WhatsApp users, including journalists, human rights activists, and government critics. Even the late Jamal Khashoggi, who was brutally killed in 2018 on behalf of the Saudi government, was once monitored using Pegasus.
Eavesdropping Without a Warning
The victims had no clue about the invasion of their privacy. NSO Group cashed in on a so-called zero-day vulnerability, an unknown security flaw that they exploited. The malware was installed on the device stealthily through a silent call or text message. No action was required from the victims. These types of attacks are rare, and the vulnerabilities trade for a hefty price. Once installed, hackers could access messages, emails, photos, and control the camera and microphone for their clients.
After Meta employees identified this vulnerability in May 2019, it took months to track more than 1,400 victims and investigate the circumstances surrounding the hack. Working alongside the civil rights organization Citizen Lab, Meta uncovered the attack. It wasn't until five months after the breach was detected that Meta publicly accused the NSO Group of being the culprit and decided to sue.
WhatsApp as a Blueprint
This trial shed light on the secret activities of many hacking firms. The NSO Group acknowledged that it spends tens of millions of dollars annually to discover security flaws in applications like WhatsApp. They claimed their products are only used against terrorism, child abuse, or other severe crimes. Customers are discouraged from spying on journalists, dissidents, or human rights activists.
However, the plaintiffs successfully proved otherwise. "This is the first time we've seen spyware operators face court trials, and the public finally knows how they roll," Meta stated in a press release. "The verdict is a significant step in safeguarding privacy and security." In addition to Meta, Apple has also taken legal action against the NSO Group, and the case is still ongoing.
Unequivocal Judgment
"As it turns out, companies that assist dictators in spying on dissidents don't have many friends," a researcher from Citizen Lab remarked on the short messaging service Bluesky. NSO Group had prepared numerous sophisticated legal arguments and a PR machine to back them up. However, once their misconduct was exposed, the jury sent a clear message: future offenders may also face such consequences.
NSO Group isn't ready to give up just yet. A spokesperson told “The Verge” that the company is taking a close look at the verdict and considering further legal actions, including appeals.
Sources: The Verge, Meta, Courthouse News Service
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Additional Insights:- This legal win for Meta marks an essential triumph in the ongoing battle against commercial spyware abuses.- Meta plans to use the court's decision to seek orders preventing the NSO Group from targeting WhatsApp users again and to support digital rights organizations.- The case could serve as a significant precedent in addressing misuses of commercial spyware in privacy infringements on major platforms.
- What's up, messenger? The million-dollar trial against the Israeli hacking organization NSO Group, responsible for hacking WhatsApp users, has finally come to a close, with the group being fined $167.25 million.
- The NSO Group, infamous for bypassing WhatsApp's encryption measures, was caught spying on thousands of users, including journalists, human rights activists, and government critics, through a rare zero-day vulnerability exploit.
- The hacking firm's activities were exposed, leading to a verdict against them in a California district court. This case could set a significant precedent in addressing misuses of commercial spyware in privacy infringements on major platforms like WhatsApp.
- While the NSO Group acknowledged spending tens of millions of dollars annually to discover security flaws, the jury’s decision sends a clear message that companies assisting in the spying of dissidents may also face such consequences.
- In the realm of general-news and crime-and-justice, the impact of this trial on cybersecurity and technology is far-reaching. The verdict could potentially support digital rights organizations and safeguard privacy and security on popular platforms such as WhatsApp.
