Meta has flagged a fresh wave of hacking attempts targeting WhatsApp users, with evidence pointing to NSO Group, the Israeli surveillance firm that has faced intense legal and diplomatic scrutiny over its Pegasus spyware operation.
The attacks discovered by Meta's security team suggest NSO may be operating in direct violation of a federal court order that has already constrained the company's activities. The hacking campaign demonstrates the persistent threat posed by the sophisticated surveillance tool, which can infiltrate phones to access messages, photos, location data, and call logs without leaving obvious traces.
WhatsApp, owned by Meta, has become a repeated target for NSO's espionage operations. The messaging platform's end-to-end encryption makes it a high-value prize for intelligence agencies and commercial spyware vendors seeking to monitor communications of journalists, activists, diplomats, and political figures.
NSO has long maintained that its tools are licensed exclusively to government agencies for fighting terrorism and serious crime. The firm has faced mounting pressure from governments worldwide, with multiple countries imposing restrictions on its operations. The United States added NSO to a trade blacklist in 2021, citing serious human rights concerns.
Meta did not disclose the number of targeted users or identify specific individuals affected by the latest attack. The company said it is continuing to strengthen WhatsApp's security infrastructure and is working with law enforcement on the matter.
The discovery underscores the ongoing cat-and-mouse game between tech companies defending their platforms and state-sponsored hackers seeking access to private communications. It also raises questions about enforcement mechanisms designed to prevent NSO from operating outside legal boundaries.
Author Sarah Mitchell: "If NSO is truly violating court orders, the question isn't whether Meta can find the spyware, it's why the courts can't stop it."
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