US jury orders NSO Group to pay WhatsApp $168 million over spyware use.

A US jury ordered NSO Group, based in Israel, to pay $168 million to WhatsApp, a Meta subsidiary, in a cyberespionage lawsuit. WhatsApp alleged NSO used its Pegasus spyware to target journalists, lawyers, and activists. The jury awarded $444,719 in compensatory damages and $167.25 million in punitive damages. NSO argues its technology is essential for combating crime and terrorism and plans to appeal the verdict.