WhatsApp forces Pegasus spyware maker to share its secret code (arstechnica.com)

Article summary

A US district judge has ruled that the NSO Group, an Israeli spyware maker, must share its secret code with WhatsApp, allowing the company to explore the full functionality of the Pegasus spyware. The ruling is a result of a lawsuit filed by WhatsApp in 2019, alleging that Pegasus was used to spy on 1,400 WhatsApp users. The NSO Group had sought to block all discovery in the lawsuit, citing US and Israeli restrictions. The court's decision is seen as a significant milestone in WhatsApp's efforts to protect its users against unlawful attacks.

Main themes

• spyware and surveillance
• government secrecy and accountability
• language and grammar
• intelligence agencies and national security
• court rulings and transparency
• technology and privacy

What commenters say

• The US government may still be using Pegasus spyware through partner intelligence organizations, despite officially blacklisting the NSO Group.
• The FISA court system allows intelligence agencies to conduct surveillance with minimal oversight, making it difficult to hold them accountable.
• Correcting grammatical errors, such as the phrase 'I could care less', is important for maintaining clear communication, but others argue that it is unnecessary and pedantic.
• The meaning of language is determined by shared consensus, not strict adherence to grammatical rules, and idioms like 'could care less' have a clear meaning despite being technically incorrect.
• Intelligence agencies may use secrecy and national security claims to avoid accountability, but this does not necessarily mean they are above the law.
• The NSO Group's attempt to claim protection as a government agent is unusual and may indicate that they expect someone to intervene on their behalf.
• The use of Pegasus spyware raises concerns about government surveillance and the potential for abuse of power, and the court's decision is a step towards greater transparency and accountability.