WhatsApp accuses spyware firm NSO of targeting users despite court order

Driving the news: WhatsApp says it disrupted a phishing campaign linked to the Israeli firm that targeted fewer than 10 people in Jordan and Lebanon, according to a company spokesperson.

• The campaign used malicious links designed to lure users to websites outside of WhatsApp.
• WhatsApp has found no evidence the targets' devices were compromised, the spokesperson added.
• NSO did not respond to a request for comment.

Catch up quick: A jury last year ordered NSO to pay roughly $167 million in damages to WhatsApp over a 2019 hacking campaign that targeted about 1,400 users. That was later reduced to $4 million.

• A judge also barred NSO from targeting WhatsApp users.
• NSO is appealing that injunction.

What to watch: WhatsApp released threat indicators tied to the campaign so other platforms can assess whether NSO targeted their users, too.

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