Meta Wins Lawsuit Over Pegasus Spyware Attack

Meta has won a lawsuit against the Israeli surveillance firm NSO Group over a spyware attack on approximately 1,400 WhatsApp users. The case, originally filed in 2019, concluded this Tuesday when a federal jury in California found NSO Group liable and ordered it to pay $167.25 million in damages to Meta.

According to Meta’s announcement, this case’s outcome represents the first large-scale victory against illegal spyware affecting many users, and it benefits companies and citizens worldwide.

“Today’s verdict in WhatsApp’s case is an important step forward for privacy and security as the first victory against the development and use of illegal spyware that threatens the safety and privacy of everyone,” states the document.

“Today, the jury’s decision to force NSO, a notorious foreign spyware merchant, to pay damages is a critical deterrent to this malicious industry against their illegal acts aimed at American companies and the privacy and security of the people we serve.”

Today, our court case has made history as the first victory against illegal spyware that threatens the safety and privacy of everyone.https://t.co/WmTGNCmrhH

— Meta Newsroom (@MetaNewsroom) May 6, 2025

Back in 2019, Meta detected the attack in WhatsApp’s calling system and, in partnership with the organization Citizen Lab, stopped NSO Group from using its Pegasus spyware tool to target journalists, diplomats, civil rights activists, and more WhatsApp users.

The tech giant filed the lawsuit after learning about the spyware, and during the trial, it was revealed that NSO Group was using its advanced malicious technologies on other platforms as well. The cyber-intelligence company admitted spending tens of millions of dollars to develop malware installation methods every year.

According to The Verge, the jury also awarded Meta $444,719 for damages. The tech giant will try to get a court order to prevent NSO Group from targeting WhatsApp.

Gil Lainer, a spokesperson from NSO Group, said they “will carefully examine the verdict’s details and pursue appropriate legal remedies, including further proceedings and an appeal.”

Other American companies have filed lawsuits against the cyber-intelligence company. Last year, Apple sued NSO Group for using Pegasus to target Apple users in a “mercenary spyware attack.”