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After years of courtroom tug-of-war, WhatsApp users can finally breathe a little easier. A federal judge just slammed the door shut on NSO Group’s ability to use its controversial Pegasus spyware on WhatsApp. The ruling is permanent — and it’s a big deal for anyone who cares about digital privacy.
What Happened?
On Friday, Judge Phyllis J. Hamilton of the U.S. District Court in Northern California granted a permanent injunction against NSO Group, the Israeli company behind Pegasus spyware. The decision came after a six-year legal battle launched by Meta (the parent company of WhatsApp) back in 2019.
The lawsuit accused NSO of trying to secretly infect about 1,400 mobile phones — including those belonging to journalists, human rights activists, lawyers, and government officials — by exploiting WhatsApp’s infrastructure. NSO allegedly created fake WhatsApp accounts and launched data-snooping attacks using Pegasus.
Meta argued that the attacks weren’t just a privacy nightmare — they were also bad for business.
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And the judge agreed.
What the Ruling Means
Here’s what NSO can no longer do — permanently:
- Use Pegasus to target or infect WhatsApp users
- Intercept private messages on WhatsApp
- Access data through WhatsApp’s encrypted system
- Keep any data it already collected through prior targeting
That’s not all. While NSO claimed this ruling could “force [them] out of business,” the judge stood firm.
She pointed out that WhatsApp isn’t just about chatting — it promises users security and privacy. And when a spyware firm breaks into that promise, it causes direct harm, not just bad press.
“In the court’s view, any business that deals with users’ personal information…is harmed by the unauthorized access of that personal information,” Judge Hamilton wrote. “It’s more than just reputational harm, it’s a business harm.”
Not Everything Meta Wanted
Meta’s wish list wasn’t granted in full.
- The judge didn’t ban NSO from targeting users of other Meta platforms like Facebook or Instagram — there wasn’t enough evidence.
- She also didn’t block foreign governments from using Pegasus, since they weren’t part of the lawsuit.
And while a jury initially awarded Meta $167 million in punitive damages, Hamilton capped it at $4 million. She said the jury used the wrong standard when determining the amount.
Still, Meta is calling the outcome a clear win.
“Today’s ruling bans spyware maker NSO from ever targeting WhatsApp and our global users again,” said WhatsApp head Will Cathcart. “It sets an important precedent that there are serious consequences to attacking an American company.”
Why It Matters
Pegasus isn’t some off-the-shelf hacker tool. It’s one of the most advanced spyware systems ever created, capable of attacking both iPhones and Android devices — often through “zero-click” exploits that require no action from the user.
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Despite NSO’s claims that Pegasus is only sold to vetted governments, the WhatsApp case proved otherwise. Targets included civil society members, not criminals.
This ruling isn’t just a win for Meta. It could be a reference point for future legal pushback, giving other tech companies a precedent to protect their platforms and users from invasive surveillance tech.
For now, your WhatsApp messages are a little safer — and that’s a victory worth noting.
Keywords: NSO Group, Pegasus Spyware, WhatsApp, Meta, Cybersecurity, Digital Privacy, Spyware Lawsuit, Federal Ruling, Pegasus Ban, Tech Law, Data Security
