A US court has mandated NSO Group, a cyber-weapon manufacturer notorious for its espionage tools, including the infamous Pegasus software, to relinquish the source codes of Pegasus and other spyware products to WhatsApp.
The ruling, delivered by US judge Phyllis Hamilton, represents a landmark victory for Meta-owned messaging platform WhatsApp, which has been embroiled in a legal battle against NSO since 2019, as reported by The Guardian.
The Pegasus code, along with the codes of NSO’s other surveillance products, are considered highly classified state secrets. NSO Group operates under the supervision of the Israeli Ministry of Defense, which meticulously reviews and approves all license sales to foreign governments.
A spokesperson for WhatsApp hailed the court’s decision as a crucial milestone in safeguarding users against illicit cyberattacks. The spokesperson emphasized that spyware entities must recognize the consequences of their actions and understand that they are subject to legal repercussions.
It’s worth noting that NSO Group faced sanctions from the Biden administration in 2021, following an assessment that the Israeli company’s activities ran counter to US foreign policy and national security interests.
This court order marks a significant step towards holding NSO Group accountable for its actions and underscores the growing global scrutiny over the proliferation of cyber espionage tools. As the legal battle continues, it remains to be seen how this ruling will shape the landscape of digital privacy and security in the years to come.
