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NSO lawyer names Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and Uzbekistan as spyware customersaccused of 2019 WhatsApp hacks
NSO Group's lawyer named Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and Uzbekistan as customers involved in the 2019 hacking of more than 1,200 WhatsApp users. This disclosure occurs amid a lawsuit from Meta-owned WhatsApp accusing NSO of exploiting app vulnerabilities to deploy Pegasus spyware. The acknowledgment marks a first for NSO, previously reluctant to confirm its clientele amidst scrutiny for targeting activists and journalists worldwide.
Key points
- NSO Group's lawyer named three countries (Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan) as customers during a lawsuit hearing.
- WhatsApp accuses NSO of installing Pegasus spyware on 1,400 accounts via a vulnerability from April to May 2019.
- WhatsApp's lawsuit includes claims that over 100 victims were human rights activists and journalists.
- NSO's clients can potentially target individuals outside their national territories, leading to complexity regarding victim identification.
- Citizen Lab provided support to WhatsApp in identifying victims of the spyware attacks.
- A judge noted the lack of clarity regarding specific clients' involvement in the alleged attacks.
Why it matters
- The revelations underscore ongoing concerns about government surveillance, especially with 2025 projections showing a rise in AI-driven surveillance technologies.
- Historical cases of spyware misuse, particularly against civil society, highlight a long-standing global issue of privacy infringement.
- The growing debate over digital rights and privacy laws is influenced by cases like this, affecting regulations and public awareness.
The public acknowledgment of NSO Group's customers amplifies serious concerns regarding digital privacy and misuse of surveillance technologies, setting the stage for potential legal and legislative repercussions as awareness of these issues grows worldwide.