Judge unlikely to allow expert testimony for NSO as jury decides damages in WhatsApp case

Summary: A federal judge displayed skepticism regarding the NSO Group’s attempt to present evidence related to its spyware, Pegasus, in a WhatsApp hacking case where damages are to be determined. The judge criticized NSO for failing to disclose crucial information about the clients involved in the hacking incidents and expressed discomfort with allowing irrelevant expert testimony. The case has gained attention due to its implications on privacy and cybersecurity laws as well as the accountability of technology companies.

Affected: NSO Group, WhatsApp (Meta Platforms Inc.)

Keypoints :

• A federal judge indicated a reluctance to admit NSO Group’s evidence pertaining to Pegasus spyware in a case against WhatsApp.
• The judge criticized NSO for its lack of transparency regarding customer targeting and the relevance of its expert testimonies.
• WhatsApp alleges that NSO’s spyware targeted approximately 1,400 users, including journalists and activists, raising significant concerns about privacy violations.