Facebook Sues Over Spyware Planted On WhatsApp

Facebook is gearing up its lawyers to take aggressive legal againts the NSO Group. The social media giant which owns the ubiquitous messaging palaform WhatsApp, is suing the Israeli NSO Group for cyber attacks asserting that the company was responsible for hacking WhatsApp to plant  malevolent  surveillance software. 

WhatsApp claims athe NSO spyware was used to exploit a vulnerability in the app to target approximately 1,400 people between in April and May this year.  

One hundred of those targeted were human rights defenders according to WhatsApp, in countries around the world. The vulnerability, first published about in May, allowed attackers to install spyware by calling the target using WhatsApp.

WhatsApp has launched a lawsuit against the Israeli surveillance firm, alleging that it was behind cyber-attacks on more than 100 human rights activists, lawyers, journalists and academics.

NSO Group, which sells its surveillance technology to governments all over the world, said in a statement on Tuesday 29th October that it disputed the claims in the WhatsApp lawsuit in the “strongest possible terms” and “will vigorously fight them.”

NSO Group added that its technology was used by intelligence and law enforcement agencies in lawful antiterrorism efforts and crime-fighting, and it “has helped to save thousands of lives over recent years.”

WhatsApp claimed in the lawsuit, which it filed in the US state of California this week, that technology sold by NSO was used to target the mobile phones of users in 20 countries over a two-week period. WhatsApp has apparently been working with Citizen Lab, an academic research group which is based in the University of Toronto, to focus on the targets of the cyber-attacks and the technology that was being used. NSO Group, which makes software for surveillance, disputed the allegations.

WhatsApp said in a court filing that the NSO Group “developed their malware in order to access messages and other communications after they were decrypted on target devices”.

WhatsApp first discovered the hack in May. At the time it said that the attack was orchestrated by “an advanced cyber-actor” and it also said...“In May 2019 we stopped a highly sophisticated cyberattack that exploited our video calling system in order to send malware to the mobile devices of a number of WhatsApp users. The nature of the attack did not require targeted users to answer the calls they received. 

“We quickly added new protections to our systems and issued an update to WhatsApp to help keep people safe. We are now taking additional action, based on what we have learned to date.

“We sent a special WhatsApp message to approximately 1,400 users that we have reason to believe were impacted by this attack to directly inform them about what happened…We believe this attack targeted at least 100 members of civil society, which is an unmistakable pattern of abuse,” 

In a separet case, Facebook has recently agreed to pay a £500,000 fine imposed by the UK's data protection watchdog for its role in the Cambridge Analytica scandal. But as part of the agreement, Facebook has not made admission of liability. 

Facebook appealed against the penalty and so the Information Commissioner's Office when on to pursue its own counter-appeal. Facebook has now said it "wished it had done more to investigate Cambridge Analytica" earlier.

Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Facebook, has also recently turned down appeals from the US government to sell WhatsApp and Instagram.

WhatsApp:        CityAM:           Economic Times

You Might Also Read: 

Spyware Proliferates To 45 Countries:

 

 

« Georgia Suffers A Nationwide Cyber Attack
Facebook, Free Speech & Fake News »

CyberSecurity Jobsite
Perimeter 81

Directory of Suppliers

Clayden Law

Clayden Law

Clayden Law advise global businesses that buy and sell technology products and services. We are experts in information technology, data privacy and cybersecurity law.

NordLayer

NordLayer

NordLayer is an adaptive network access security solution for modern businesses — from the world’s most trusted cybersecurity brand, Nord Security. 

Authentic8

Authentic8

Authentic8 transforms how organizations secure and control the use of the web with Silo, its patented cloud browser.

IT Governance

IT Governance

IT Governance is a leading global provider of information security solutions. Download our free guide and find out how ISO 27001 can help protect your organisation's information.

Jooble

Jooble

Jooble is a job search aggregator operating in 71 countries worldwide. We simplify the job search process by displaying active job ads from major job boards and career sites across the internet.

Netteam

Netteam

Netteam designs, implements and services networking solutions for companies of all sizes.

Intrasoft International

Intrasoft International

Intrasoft International is a leading European IT Solutions and Services Group offering a full range of IT services including Information Security.

ESNC

ESNC

ESNC’s vulnerability management and real-time SAP security monitoring solutions help largest corporations in the world to effectively prioritize SAP security tasks and secure their business.

Auxilium Cyber Security

Auxilium Cyber Security

Auxilium Cyber Security is independent information security consultancy company.

FRSecure

FRSecure

FRSecure is a full-service information security management company that protects sensitive, confidential business information from unauthorized access, disclosure, distribution and destruction.

Banshie

Banshie

Banshie is an independent cyber security company with a small team of recognized specialist that are among the best in their field.

CyberMDX

CyberMDX

CyberMDX delivers proactive security built for hospital devices. 360° visibility, insight, and protection for all connected hospital technologies.

CYBER.ORG

CYBER.ORG

CYBER.ORG's goal is to empower educators as they prepare the next generation to succeed in the cyber workforce of tomorrow.

Kindus

Kindus

Kindus is an IT security, assurance and cyber security risk management consultancy.

MorganFranklin Consulting

MorganFranklin Consulting

MorganFranklin Consulting is a management advisory firm that works with businesses and government to address complex and transformational technology and business objectives including cybersecurity.

Arcturus Security

Arcturus Security

Arcturus is a CREST-approved cyber security consultancy created by experts in the field.

MLSecOps Community

MLSecOps Community

The MLSecOps Community is a collaborative space for machine learning security experts and industry leaders to connect and shape the future of AI/ML security.

ProvenRun

ProvenRun

ProvenRun is a leading provider of trusted software solutions with extensive expertise and an unwavering commitment to security.

CBIT Digital Forensics Services (CDFS)

CBIT Digital Forensics Services (CDFS)

CDFS is Australia’s premier supplier of digital forensic tools, industry-embedded training and certification to Law Enforcement, Government, and Corporate Enterprise.

Cyber Brain Academy

Cyber Brain Academy

At Cyber Brain Academy, our mission is to provide high-quality IT certification training for the cyber security workforce.

Luxembourg House of Cybersecurity (LHC)

Luxembourg House of Cybersecurity (LHC)

Luxembourg House of Cybersecurity (formerly SecurityMadeIn.lu) is the backbone of leading-edge cyber resilience in Luxembourg.