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For years, people have been asking: can a spyware company be stopped in its tracks? Last week, a California judge gave us a big, resounding “yes.”
U.S. District Judge Phyllis Hamilton just ruled that NSO Group—the Israeli cyberintelligence firm behind some pretty aggressive spyware campaigns—is permanently barred from targeting users on WhatsApp. That means no more sneaky hacks through the Meta-owned messaging app. Not now, not ever.
But here’s the twist: while the ruling is a major win for digital privacy, the penalty that comes with it isn’t quite as heavy as it once looked.
What Happened?
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Back in 2019, NSO Group launched a spyware campaign that targeted over 1,400 WhatsApp users. And we’re not just talking about random accounts—these were human rights activists, journalists, and other civic voices. WhatsApp, which is owned by Meta, took the group to court.
Earlier this year, a jury sided with Meta, ordering NSO Group to pay a massive $167 million in damages. But the judge just reviewed that decision and made some big changes.
The Ruling: Protection and a Reduced Fine
Judge Hamilton said the court didn’t have enough proof to say NSO’s behavior was “particularly egregious.” And without that extra weight, the amount the company has to pay took a serious drop—from $167 million down to around $4 million.
More importantly, the judge granted a permanent injunction against NSO Group. That legally forbids the company from ever targeting WhatsApp users again.
“Our goal has always been to protect our users around the world,” said Will Cathcart, Head of WhatsApp. “We applaud this decision that comes after six years of litigation to hold NSO accountable for targeting members of civil society.”
A Long Fight With a Clear Message
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The case has dragged on for six years. That’s a long time to wait for justice, especially for people whose security was breached while they were just trying to communicate safely.
But in the end, WhatsApp got what it was fighting for: a promise that NSO Group can never again use its platform as a spy tool.
As for NSO? The company recently confirmed that it’s being acquired by U.S. investors. That’s a whole other storyline to watch.
Why This Matters
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Most of us use messaging apps like WhatsApp every single day—sometimes without thinking twice about who might be able to peek in. This ruling sends a strong signal that even powerful spyware companies can’t operate without consequences.
It’s a rare kind of win in tech and privacy law. And it shows what a long-term commitment to user protection looks like when backed by legal action.
Stay safe out there—and maybe update your passwords, just in case.
Keywords: WhatsApp, NSO Group, spyware, judge ruling, Meta, digital privacy, cybersecurity, NSO lawsuit, permanent injunction, WhatsApp security
