Meta awarded $167.25 million over Pegasus spyware attack
VergeMAY 9
Court Orders NSO to Pay $168M Penalty for Hacking WhatsApp
Above: Studio photographic illustration showing a smartphone with the website of Israel's NSO Group which features 'Pegasus' spyware, on display in Paris on July 21, 2021. Image copyright: Joel Saget/AFP via Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
This landmark verdict isn't just justice — it's a powerful shield for humanity's digital privacy. By punishing these merchants of surveillance who secretly hijacked phones to harvest our most intimate data, WhatsApp has drawn a line in the sand. This precedent strikes fear into spyware peddlers everywhere, telling them their days of digital predation are numbered.
Narrative B
When deployed responsibly by authorized government agencies, the technology plays a vital role in preventing serious crime and terrorism. The court failed to consider extensive real-world evidence showing how the software has saved numerous lives, including American lives, through legitimate security operations. The verdict overlooks the critical role of such tools in national security and law enforcement efforts.