NSO Group's Million-Dollar Fine for WhatsApp Hack: Judgement Day
Private hackers successfully infiltrate WhatsApp communications, resulting in hefty fines - WhatsApp hackers now face paying substantial amounts due to their unauthorized activities.
Let's get straight to it, mate! The notorious Israeli hackers, NSO Group, are in deep shit. They've been slapped with a hefty fine of a whopping $167.25 million by a US court for hacking WhatsApp messenger back in 2018. That's roughly €147 million, if you're wondering!
This judgement came from the Northern District Court of California, and it ain't pretty for NSO Group. The jury ordered them to pay damages amounting to $444,719, with the rest as a penalty. The suit originated from Meta, WhatsApp's operator, after they discovered NSO's spying activities.
The naked truth is that NSO Group had been spying on more than 1,400 WhatsApp users on behalf of their clients, including journalists, human rights activists, and government critics. Yep, even Jamal Khashoggi, the journalist who was brutally murdered in 2018, had his privacy invaded by Pegasus, NSO Group's spyware.
Silent and Stealthy Spying
The victims had no clue about this attack. NSO Group exploited a zero-day vulnerability, a hidden security flaw that wasn't public knowledge. They installed malicious software on the device via a silent call or text message, requiring no action from the victims. This kind of attack is rare and can fetch millions of dollars on the dark markets. Once installed, the hackers could read messages, access emails, and even control the camera and microphone on the device on their clients' behalf.
When Meta employees uncovered the vulnerability in May 2019, it took them several months to identify the victims and investigate the details. Working alongside the civil rights organization Citizen Lab, they managed to uncover the attack, but it wasn't until five months after the hack that Meta publicly accused NSO Group of being behind it and decided to sue.
A Precedent for Privacy Protection
This trial shed light on the shady tactics of hacker firms often operating in the gray areas. NSO Group was forced to admit that they spend tens of millions of dollars annually to exploit security vulnerabilities in WhatsApp and other programs. Despite their claims of using their programs only against terrorism, child abuse, or serious crimes, the jury was convinced that they spied on journalists, dissidents, and human rights activists.
"This is the first time that spyware providers have been put on trial, and it shows exactly how they operate," Meta said in a statement. "This verdict is an important step forward in protecting privacy and security."
This isn't over for NSO Group, though. They have signaled their intention to appeal the verdict. We'll have to wait and see if that happens. And don't forget, Apple is also suing NSO Group due to similar concerns with iPhones.
The Verdict: A Clear Warning
A researcher at the Citizen Lab had this to say on the Bluesky short messaging service: "People don't like companies that help dictators hack dissidents." NSO Group had all the legal arguments and PR machinery set up. But once their activities were exposed, the jury sent a clear message: "You could be next."
So, there you have it, mate. NSO Group has been caught, and they're paying the price. Let's hope this sets a precedent for privacy protection and deters other companies from engaging in similar deceitful practices.
Sources: The Verge, Meta, Courthouse News Service
- Messenger
Enrichment Data:NSO Group has been blacklisted by the US Commerce Department, which restricts its ability to operate in the US market. This, combined with the recent judgment and previous legal challenges, may strain the company's operations and influence its future business strategies. However, specific details about internal plans or restructuring efforts are not currently available.
- "The trial against NSO Group for the WhatsApp hack has set a precedent, demonstrating how spyware providers operate, as Meta stated."
- "Despite NSO Group's claims of using their programs against terrorism, child abuse, or serious crimes, the jury found evidence of spying on journalists, dissidents, and human rights activists."
- "The hefty fine imposed on NSO Group by the US court for hacking WhatsApp messenger in 2018 was roughly €147 million."
- "The shady tactics of hacker firms like NSO Group, which operate in the gray areas, have been exposed as a result of this trial and are considered as a threat to cybersecurity and general-news sectors."
- "Due to spying activities on more than 1,400 WhatsApp users, including journalists and human rights activists, NSO Group is facing the consequences of their actions."
