NSO Group Ordered to Pay Meta $167 Million in Damages
NSO Group Ordered to Pay Meta $167 Million in Damages

Meta had sued the firm, NSO Group, for using its spyware to hack 1,400 WhatsApp accounts belonging to journalists, dissidents and others.
Read the full article on NY Times Technology
Truth Analysis
Analysis Summary:
The article is mostly accurate, with the core claim of NSO Group being ordered to pay Meta around $167 million in damages being widely supported by multiple sources. There is a minor discrepancy regarding the exact amount of damages awarded, with one source reporting $168 million. The article presents the information in a relatively neutral tone, with minimal bias.
Detailed Analysis:
- Claim:** NSO Group Ordered to Pay Meta $167 Million in Damages.
- Verification Source #1: Supports the claim, stating "NSO Group paying punitive damages of around $167 million to WhatsApp".
- Verification Source #2: Supports the claim, stating "Spyware firm NSO ordered to pay $167M in WhatsApp hacking suit".
- Verification Source #3: Supports the claim, stating "Spyware maker NSO ordered to pay $167 million for hacking".
- Verification Source #4: Supports the claim, stating "NSO Group must pay more than $167 million in damages to WhatsApp".
- Verification Source #5: Reports a slightly different amount: "$168 million".
- Claim:** Meta had sued the firm, NSO Group, for using its spyware to hack 1,400 WhatsApp accounts belonging to journalists, dissidents and others.
- Verification Source #2: Supports the claim, stating "Meta-owned WhatsApp sued NSO Group back in 2019".
- Verification Source #1: Does not explicitly mention the 1,400 accounts, but implies the hacking of WhatsApp accounts.
- Verification Source #3: Does not explicitly mention the 1,400 accounts, but implies the hacking of WhatsApp accounts.
- Verification Source #4: Does not explicitly mention the 1,400 accounts, but implies the hacking of WhatsApp accounts.
- Verification Source #5: Does not explicitly mention the 1,400 accounts, but implies the hacking of WhatsApp accounts.
Supporting Evidence/Contradictions:
- The core claim of NSO Group being ordered to pay Meta around $167 million is strongly supported by Verification Sources #1, #2, #3, and #4. Verification Source #5 reports a slightly different amount of $168 million.
- The claim that Meta sued NSO Group for hacking WhatsApp accounts is supported by Verification Source #2. The other sources imply this claim but do not explicitly state it.
- There is a minor discrepancy in the exact amount of damages awarded, with Verification Source #5 reporting $168 million instead of $167 million. This is a minor difference and does not significantly impact the overall accuracy.