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A landmark US ruling holds Israeli company responsible for hacking WhatsApp systems, marking a victory for Meta in the fight against illegal surveillance of users.
WhatsApp has taken an important step towards protecting digital privacy with a court ruling that holds Israeli company NSO Group accountable for hacking into the app’s systems. Judge Phyllis Hamilton of the Northern District of California found NSO guilty of using Pegasus spyware to spy on WhatsApp. The ruling, issued in a case that has been ongoing since 2019, represents a victory for Meta, WhatsApp’s parent company, against illegal surveillance of users and paves the way for the determination of damages.
How did spying on WhatsApp work?
The case revealed by Meta indicates that NSO Group exploited a flaw in WhatsApp to infect around 1.400 devices with Pegasus, a highly sophisticated spyware. This program was used for illegal surveillance of journalists, human rights activists and political leaders. Pegasus has the ability to capture messages, photos and calls, even on encrypted platforms such as WhatsApp and Signal.
NSO argued that the Pegasus was sold exclusively to governments and used in investigations against serious crimes, such as terrorism. However, the judge rejected this defense, stating that the use of the software for improper espionage violates American laws, including the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act and the California Comprehensive Computer Data Access and Fraud Act.
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A legal framework for digital privacy
The US court ruling sets a crucial precedent for technology companies developing surveillance tools. Experts say the verdict could discourage investment in spying technologies. According to John Scott-Railton, a researcher at Citizen Lab, “the entire industry has hidden behind the claim that it is not their responsibility what their customers do with their hacking tools. Today’s ruling makes it clear that NSO Group is indeed responsible for violating several laws.”
WhatsApp CEO Will Cathcart celebrated the decision on social media, saying that “this is a victory for privacy. Spyware companies cannot hide behind immunity to avoid liability for illegal actions.” Cathcart also stressed the need to protect users from invasive technologies that compromise digital security.
The global impact of Pegasus
Pegasus has been implicated in several international scandals. A 2021 investigation revealed that the spyware was used against more than 50 potential targets, including world leaders such as the French president. Emmanuel Macron. These revelations prompted the US to impose sanctions on NSO Group, which now faces increased global scrutiny.
With the court decision, Meta seeks to reinforce its commitment to user privacy, an increasingly relevant topic in a widely connected digital world.
What does this decision mean for the future?
The verdict against NSO Group not only holds the company accountable, but also signals a shift in the way the justice system deals with surveillance technologies. Experts believe it could pave the way for stricter regulations and greater protection of digital rights.
The progress of the case also places WhatsApp as an example of resistance against illegal spying practices. For users, this is a clear demonstration that digital privacy is a priority and that technology companies are willing to fight for it.
The US court ruling against NSO Group represents a historic victory for WhatsApp, Meta, and everyone who values security and privacy. privacy in the digital world. With the case now moving into the damages phase, the consequences could be profound for both the surveillance industry and the laws that protect digital rights.
The fight against spying on WhatsApp is far from over, but this is proof that combating illegal surveillance can bring concrete results. For users, the message is clear: privacy is a right that must be firmly defended.
