The post U.S. court bars NSO Group from targeting WhatsApp, warns business could collapse appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com.

A federal court in California has banned Israeli surveillance firm NSO Group from ever trying to breach WhatsApp, in a ruling that the company itself says could destroy its entire operation. The decision came on Friday, October 18, from U.S. District Judge Phyllis Hamilton, who signed a 25-page order laying out the permanent injunction. According to Reuters, the court’s order shuts down any attempt by NSO to use its spyware tools on Meta-owned WhatsApp, a platform used by over two billion people around the world. The spyware in question is Pegasus, NSO’s main product, which is designed to exploit vulnerabilities in everyday apps and secretly monitor phones. That includes grabbing texts, calls, and location data. For years, Pegasus has used WhatsApp as a key entry point. That ends now. In court filings, NSO warned that if the judge blocked them from going after WhatsApp, it would “put NSO’s entire enterprise at risk” and potentially “force NSO out of business.” Judge reduces damages from $167 million to $4 million While the injunction hit hard, Judge Phyllis Hamilton also gave NSO a financial break. A previous jury decision had slapped the company with $167 million in punitive damages owed to Meta, but the judge cut that figure down to just $4 million. That’s a 97% reduction, which NSO said it “welcomed.” Still, the legal blow from the permanent ban on targeting WhatsApp outweighed the financial relief. NSO, based in Israel, released a statement saying the ban doesn’t apply to their clients. The company said its customers “will continue using the company’s technology to help protect public safety.” NSO also said it’s still reviewing the judge’s ruling and “will determine its next steps accordingly.” No timeline was given. Meanwhile, Meta executives responded to the ruling with satisfaction. Will Cathcart, head of WhatsApp, posted…

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Filed under: News - @ October 19, 2025 2:07 am