WASHINGTON DC, USA: Social media communication application WhatsApp has filed a lawsuit against Israeli cybersecurity firm NSO Group, alleging the firm was behind cyber attacks that infected devices with malicious software.
WhatsApp accuses the company of sending malware to roughly 1,400 mobile phones for surveillance. Users affected included journalists, human rights activists, political dissidents, and diplomats.
NSO Group disputed the allegations.
In a court filing, WhatsApp said NSO Group developed their malware to access messages and other communications after they were decrypted on target devices.
Related story: WhatsApp says ‘select group’ of users targeted in cyber attack
It said NSO Group created various WhatsApp accounts and caused the malicious code to be transmitted over the WhatsApp servers in April and May.
“We believe this attack targeted at least 100 members of civil society, which is an unmistakable pattern of abuse,” WhatsApp said in a statement.
The affected users had numbers from several countries, including Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Mexico, according to the lawsuit.
WhatsApp said it is seeking a permanent ban on NSO from using its service.
The firm, which was acquired by Facebook in 2014, said it was the first time an encrypted messaging provider had taken legal action of this kind.
WhatsApp promotes itself as a “secure” communications app because messages are end-to-end encrypted
This means they should only be displayed in a legible form on the sender or recipient’s device.
NSO Group said it would fight the allegations.
“In the strongest possible terms, we dispute today’s allegations and will vigorously fight them,” the company said in a statement.
“The sole purpose of NSO is to provide technology to licensed government intelligence and law enforcement agencies to help them fight terrorism and serious crime.”
Dear TNT Reader,
At The News Tribe, our mission is to bring you free, independent, and unbiased news and content that keeps you informed and empowered. We are committed to upholding the highest standards of journalism, as we understand that we are a platform for truth.
Apart from independent global news coverage, we also commit our unique focus on the Muslim world. In an age marked by the troubling rise of Islamophobia and widespread misrepresentation of Muslims in Western media, we strive to provide accurate and fair coverage.
But to continue doing so, we need your support. Even a small donation of 1$ can make a big difference. Your contribution will help us maintain the quality of our news and counteract the negative narratives that are so prevalent.
Please consider donating today to ensure we can keep delivering the news that matters. Together, we can make a positive impact on the world, and work towards a more inclusive, informed global society.
Donate Monthly Subscription Annual Subscription
