Meta Seeks Contempt Against NSO Over Fewer Than 10 WhatsApp Targets
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jun 8
Meta Seeks Contempt Against NSO Over Fewer Than 10 WhatsApp Targets
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 8
Summary
Meta said it found a new spear-phishing campaign tied to NSO technology that targeted fewer than 10 WhatsApp users, mostly in Jordan and Lebanon, despite a 2025 court order barring such activity.
Malicious links sent to the users included a domain impersonating France 24; Meta said the attempts failed after recipients reported the messages before any compromise occurred.
The company said it will ask the court to hold NSO in contempt, escalating a long-running fight over Pegasus and other surveillance tools sold by the Israeli spyware firm to governments.
The accusation lands amid broader scrutiny of government spyware use and renewed U.S. concern about Israeli surveillance as tensions over the Iran war and Tehran diplomacy deepen.