WhatsApp vs NSO Group: Major Lawsuit Reveals Spyware Secrets
If you're wondering what happened in the WhatsApp vs NSO Group lawsuit, or how Pegasus spyware works, you're not alone. In a landmark verdict in May 2025, a U.S. jury ordered Israeli spyware maker NSO Group to pay $167 million in damages to WhatsApp, part of Meta. This legal victory ends a five-year battle that started when WhatsApp discovered its users had been hacked through a zero-click vulnerability—a serious breach of digital privacy that alarmed cybersecurity experts worldwide. The case has shed light on how commercial spyware operates, who it targets, and which governments are involved.
A Five-Year Legal Battle Over Digital Surveillance
The legal fight began in October 2019, when WhatsApp accused NSO Group of exploiting a vulnerability in its voice-calling feature. According to court documents, the attack targeted over 1,400 users, many of them journalists, activists, and dissidents—raising major concerns about government surveillance, cybersecurity, and human rights violations.
The jury’s ruling followed a week-long trial, with testimonies from both WhatsApp employees and NSO executives. One of the key revelations was that NSO created a “WhatsApp Installation Server” to send fake messages that appeared legitimate but secretly delivered Pegasus spyware to victims’ phones.
How the Spyware Attack Worked: Zero-Click Exploits
What makes this case particularly alarming is that it involved a zero-click attack—a type of exploit that requires no action from the user. WhatsApp’s legal team explained how the spyware was deployed through a fake phone call, which, even if unanswered, initiated the download of Pegasus. All the attackers needed was the target’s phone number.
As described by NSO’s own vice president of R&D, zero-click solutions are a critical milestone for spyware developers—making this method especially dangerous for public figures, political targets, and anyone concerned with data privacy.
Governments and Pegasus: Who’s Been Spying?
The trial also unearthed compelling evidence about Pegasus customers and abuse. NSO admitted it had cut off 10 government clients due to misuse of the spyware. Countries named during the proceedings included Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and Uzbekistan—nations previously linked to spyware scandals.
Investigators also revealed that 1,223 specific locations of spyware victims had been identified, adding to the growing awareness of Pegasus's global surveillance reach.
Pegasus Tested on a U.S. Phone Number for the FBI
One of the most shocking moments in the trial came when it was revealed that NSO Group tested Pegasus on a U.S. phone number, despite long-standing claims that the software could not target devices with a +1 country code. This raises new questions about domestic surveillance, national security, and tech partnerships with intelligence agencies.
Why This Matters for You
This case isn’t just about WhatsApp and NSO Group. It’s about the growing threat of spyware, the loopholes in digital security, and the potential abuse of surveillance technology. Whether you're a business owner, a journalist, or an everyday user, the implications are clear: your smartphone can be weaponized without your knowledge.
The ruling sets a legal precedent for holding spyware companies accountable and may drive tighter regulation in the cybersecurity and data protection sectors.
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