Israeli spyware vendor NSO must pay $167M for enabling hacks of 1,400 WhatsApp users, jury rules

A California federal jury found that Israel-based spyware vendor NSO Group owes $167.25 million in punitive damages for enabling the hacks of about 1,400 WhatsApp users' devices. Why it matters: The damages deal a major economic blow to one of the world's most prolific spyware vendors and sets a precedent for similar cases. Catch up quick: Meta-owned WhatsApp sued NSO Group back in 2019 after it discovered that the company's Pegasus surveillance tool was used to hack WhatsApp users' devices. Pegasus provides what's known as "zero-click" spyware, which means someone can infect a target's device without them having to click on a link or open a message. News reports have found that governments were using the tool to spy on dissidents, human rights activists and journalists.An NSO Group spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.Zoom in: Tuesday's ruling was simply about what damages NSO Group owed to WhatsApp after a judge ruled in December that the spyware vendor was responsible for hacking and breach of contract. The jury also decided that NSO Group must pay $444,719 in compensatory damages to Meta. NSO Group had argued it was not responsible for how its customers used Pegasus. What they're saying: "Today, the jury's decision to force NSO, a notorious foreign spyware merchant, to pay damages is a critical deterrent to this malicious industry against their illegal acts aimed at American companies and the privacy and security of the people we serve," WhatsApp said in a blog post after the ruling.The company added it now has a "a long road ahead to collect awarded damages from NSO," but it intends to donate the funds to organizations that are helping defend people against spyware attacks. What to watch: The spyware industry has only continued to grow since WhatsApp first filed its lawsuit. Researchers have warned that many of the most dangerous players now are small companies that few know anything about. Go deeper: Spyware company NSO Group tries to makes its case in Washington

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