Israeli Spyware Group Must Pay IDR 2.6 Trillion To WhatsApp For Hacking 2019

JAKARTA - The NSO Group, a company developing spy software from Israel, has to pay compensation to WhatsApp of more than US$167 million (Rp2.67 trillion).

They had to pay compensation compensation compensation because of the hacking campaign they launched in 2019 against more than 1,400 users.

WhatsApp spokesman Zade Alsawah said in a statement that the court's decision was a big win for the company, against spyware.

"Our court case has made history as the first win against illegal spyware that threatens everyone's safety and privacy," Alsawah quoted TechCrunch as saying.

He also emphasized that this step is an important moment in fighting the development and use of illegal spyware that threatens everyone's safety and privacy.

"Today, the jury's decision to force NSO, a well-known foreign spyware trader, to pay compensation is an important deterrent to this evil industry against their illegal acts aimed at American companies and the privacy and security of the people we serve," he added.

Meanwhile, NSO Group spokesman Gil Lainer left the door open for appeal. He said he would conduct an examination regarding the ruling.

"We will carefully examine the details of the decision and seek the right legal remedies, including further legal proceedings and appeals," concluded Lainer.

In 2019, WhatsApp discovered that the Pegasus spyware, developed by Israeli company NSO Group, exploited vulnerabilities in app calling systems to infect users' devices.

This attack allows Pegasus to access personal data such as messages, emails, cameras, and microphones without the user's knowledge, via a call, even if the call is not answered.