Judge Bans NSO Group from Targeting WhatsApp

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A U.S. federal judge has granted Meta’s WhatsApp a permanent injunction blocking Israeli spyware maker NSO Group from targeting its users.

The case dates back to a 2019 campaign that hacked 1,400 users, including journalists and human rights activists.

Originally fined $167M, NSO’s penalty was reduced to $4M after the court found insufficient evidence of “particularly egregious” conduct.

WhatsApp chief Will Cathcart:

“This bans spyware maker NSO from ever targeting WhatsApp and our global users again.”

NSO recently confirmed it’s being acquired by U.S. investors.

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The traffic drop shows how AI answers and social platforms are reshaping information access.

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It sets a critical precedent for user protection and accountability in global tech disputes.