Spyware maker NSO Group has been banned from WhatsApp

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 must pay to Meta.

Earlier this year, a jury decided that the cyber intelligence company would have to pay Meta more than $167 million after a 2019 campaign that targeted more than 1,400 WhatsApp users, including human rights activists and journalists.

However, US District Judge Phyllis Hamilton ruled on Friday that because the court did not have enough evidence to determine that NSO Group’s conduct was “particularly egregious,” the punitive damages ratio was set at 9 to 1, reducing the amount paid to about $4 million.

In a statement provided to the Courthouse News Service, WhatsApp 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 it has been acquired by US investors.