New York, NFAPost: US Court Orders NSO Group to Disclose Code for Spyware Products. NSO Group, the maker of one the world’s most sophisticated cyber weapons, has been ordered by a US court to hand its code for Pegasus and other spyware products to WhatsApp as part of the company’s ongoing litigation.
Judge Phyllis Hamilton’s decision is a significant turning point in the lawsuit between WhatsApp and NSO Group. Previously, the inner workings of Pegasus were shrouded in secrecy. By forcing NSO to hand over the code, WhatsApp gains valuable insight into how Pegasus operates.
There is an ongoing legal battle between WhatsApp and NSO Group.
NSO Group, an Israeli firm, develops and sells Pegasus, one of the world’s most sophisticated cyber weapons. The spyware is capable of extensive phone access, including reading messages, listening to calls, and tracking location.
NSO Group, the maker of one the world’s most sophisticated cyber weapons, has been ordered by a US court order Pegasus to handover its code to WhatsApp.
WhatsApp accused NSO of using a vulnerability in their platform to install Pegasus on 1,400 devices between 2018 and 2020, targeting human rights activists, journalists, and others.
In a major victory for WhatsApp, the court ruled that NSO Group must provide the code for Pegasus and other relevant spyware products to a neutral third party. This party will analyze the code and share relevant findings with WhatsApp.
Such an order could have far-reaching implications for both NSO Group and the broader debate surrounding the use of surveillance technology and its impact on privacy and human rights. It may also shed light on the inner workings of Pegasus and other NSO Group products, providing valuable insights into how they operate and how they have been used in the past.
However, the NSO Group hasn’t confirmed whether they will comply with the court order. The legal battle is ongoing, and the full effects of this ruling will likely to unfold over time.
