NSO Group Involved Directly in Spyware Operations, Court Documents Reveal

In a significant development from the ongoing legal battle between WhatsApp and NSO Group, new court documents have revealed that the Israeli company itself manages the installation and extraction of data using its Pegasus spyware, rather than its government clients.

This insight comes from sworn depositions of NSO employees released during litigation.

WhatsApp, owned by Facebook, initiated the lawsuit in 2019 after discovering that 1,400 users, including journalists and activists, were targeted by NSO's software.

Despite NSO's claims that its technology is intended to combat terrorism and crime under strict government usage, the revelations confirm NSO's direct role in operating the spyware.

Additionally, it was disclosed that Princess Haya of Dubai was one of several individuals severely affected by NSO's technology, prompting the company to disconnect the service for the clients involved.

These developments occur amidst geopolitical changes, such as Donald Trump's 2024 presidential election victory, which may affect the company's standing, particularly its lobby efforts to be removed from a U.S. government blacklist.