Court Documents Reveal Global Scale of NSO’s WhatsApp Spyware Campaign
1,223 Targets Across 51 Countries in 2019 Hack
Newly unsealed court documents reveal startling details about the 2019 WhatsApp hacking campaign involving NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware. According to exhibits filed in the ongoing lawsuit, the surveillance operation targeted 1,223 WhatsApp users across 51 countries.
Key Findings from the Documents:
- Mexico had the highest number of victims (456)
- Other heavily targeted countries included:
- India (100 victims)
- Bahrain (82)
- Morocco (69)
- Pakistan (58)
- Indonesia (54)
- Israel (51)
- Western nations were also affected:
- Spain (21)
- Netherlands (11)
- France (7)
- United Kingdom (2)
- United States (1)
The Scope of the Surveillance Operation
The attack, which occurred between April and May 2019, demonstrates the alarming efficiency of government-grade spyware. WhatsApp initially estimated 1,400 targets in its 2019 lawsuit against NSO Group, accusing the company of exploiting a vulnerability in the messaging platform.
Cybersecurity expert Runa Sandvik, who has tracked Pegasus victims for years, emphasized the significance of these findings:
“The list we see here — with 456 cases in Mexico alone — speaks volumes about the true scale of the spyware problem. Many victims never receive notifications or have their devices examined.”
Important Caveats and Implications
- Geographic data doesn’t necessarily indicate the responsible government - Targets in a country could be surveilled by foreign governments
- Syria’s inclusion raises questions - Despite global sanctions preventing NSO from legally operating there
- Victim numbers suggest customer spending - Mexico reportedly spent $60M on NSO tools (NY Times, 2023)
Legal Developments and Financial Revelations
The lawsuit has already yielded significant outcomes:
- December 2023 ruling: Court found NSO violated U.S. hacking laws
- Upcoming hearing: Will determine damages NSO must pay
- Previous disclosures revealed:
- NSO cut off 10 customers for abuse
- WhatsApp hacking tool licenses cost up to $6.8M annually
- Generated at least $31M revenue in 2019
How to Report Spyware Concerns
Journalists and security researchers can contact TechCrunch securely via:
- Signal: +1 917 257 1382 (Lorenzo Franceschi-Bicchierai)
- SecureDrop: TechCrunch tip line
Note: Always use non-work devices/networks when reporting sensitive information.
Both WhatsApp and NSO Group declined to comment on the newly released documents when contacted by TechCrunch.
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