A federal judge has granted Meta-owned WhatsApp’s request for a permanent injunction barring Israeli cyber intelligence firm NSO Group from targeting users of the messaging app. At the same time, the judge significantly reduced the fine that NSO Group had to pay to Meta.
Earlier this year, a jury decided that the cyber intelligence company would have to Meta paid out more than $167 million Following a 2019 campaign that targeted more than 1,400 WhatsApp users, including human rights activists and journalists.
However, U.S. District Judge Phyllis Hamilton Friday ruling Because the court did not have enough evidence to determine that NSO Group’s conduct was “particularly egregious,” the ratio of punitive damages was set at 9 to 1, reducing the amount paid to about $4 million.
In a statement Submitted to Court News ServiceWhatsApp chief Will Cathart said the ruling “prevents spyware maker NSO from targeting WhatsApp and our global users again.”
“We applaud this decision, which comes after six years of litigation to hold NSO accountable for targeting members of civil society,” Cathart said.
NSO Group recently confirmed that this is being done Acquired by American investors.