Facebook-owned WhatsApp has announced it has disrupted a new phishing campaign targeting its users with the notorious Israeli spyware firm NSO Group's software. The company claimed that it had successfully caught and blocked several attempts by hackers to install NSO's Pegasus spyware on devices via malicious links sent via WhatsApp.
The news comes just days after WhatsApp filed a lawsuit against NSO Group in a US court, accusing the firm of violating a court order by using its software to hack into the phones of human rights activists and journalists. In a statement, WhatsApp said it was 'disappointed' that despite being told not to use its technology for hacking, NSO had continued to sell its spyware to governments around the world.
NSO has been at the centre of several high-profile controversies in recent years, including allegations that its software was used by Saudi Arabia to hack into the phone of murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The company has consistently denied these claims and argues that its technology is only used for legitimate law enforcement purposes.
WhatsApp's move to disrupt the new phishing campaign is seen as a significant development in the ongoing battle against NSO Group, which has been accused of creating software that allows governments to hack into the phones of innocent civilians. The company's actions have significant implications for users worldwide, who may be at risk of being targeted by hackers using NSO's spyware.
The UK government has been criticized in the past for its close ties to NSO Group and its willingness to use the firm's technology for surveillance purposes. A spokesperson for the Home Office said that it was 'keeping the matter under review' but declined to comment further.