The Meta-owned messaging platform says it disrupted a phishing operation allegedly tied to NSO Group and has asked a court to take action, arguing the campaign violated an existing injunction against the spyware maker.
WhatsApp has announced that it blocked a new hacking campaign allegedly linked to Israeli spyware company NSO Group, renewing concerns over the use of commercial surveillance tools and intensifying a years-long legal dispute between the two firms.
The Meta-owned messaging platform said it uncovered and disrupted a spear-phishing operation after receiving reports from users and conducting an internal investigation. According to WhatsApp, the attackers attempted to trick targets into clicking malicious links that redirected them to websites outside the messaging service.
The company also identified a number of test accounts and groups that were allegedly created as part of the operation. WhatsApp said these accounts were removed as part of its response to the campaign.
The latest incident has prompted WhatsApp to seek further legal action against NSO, claiming the alleged activity breached a court order that bars the spyware developer from targeting the platform and its users.
Legal battle reignites
WhatsApp said the newly discovered campaign resembles earlier attacks in which victims were directed to malicious websites that facilitated the installation of spyware on their devices. The company believes the operation violated a permanent injunction issued in connection with its long-running lawsuit against NSO.
The dispute dates back to 2019, when WhatsApp accused NSO of exploiting vulnerabilities in the platform to target more than 1,400 users. Following the discovery, the company notified affected individuals and launched legal proceedings against the spyware vendor.
The court later ruled in WhatsApp’s favour and imposed restrictions preventing NSO from using the messaging service to conduct surveillance activities. WhatsApp now argues that the latest campaign demonstrates non-compliance with that ruling and has moved to hold the company accountable.
Growing pressure on the spyware industry
NSO Group has remained under intense scrutiny over allegations that its Pegasus spyware has been used by government clients to monitor journalists, activists, dissidents and political figures across multiple countries.
The broader spyware industry has faced increasing pressure from technology companies and regulators in recent years. Firms such as WhatsApp have expanded security protections, publicly exposed surveillance campaigns and pursued legal remedies against spyware developers.
Meanwhile, the U.S. government has taken measures against several surveillance technology companies, including placing NSO on a Commerce Department trade restrictions list. Although a consortium of American investors acquired NSO last year and sought to improve the company’s standing with regulators, the restrictions remain in place.
The latest disruption highlights the continuing efforts by major technology platforms to combat sophisticated cyber threats while raising fresh questions about the regulation and oversight of commercial spyware providers.
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