uncovered a global spyware operation
targeting iPhones and Android phones.
The investigations, which were
conducted in conjunction with non-
profit groups Citizen Lab, Forbidden
Stories, Amnesty International and
other human rights groups, found that
military grade spyware was used to
hack dozens of phones belonging to
“journalists, human rights activists,
business executives and two women
close to murdered Saudi journalist
Jamal Khashoggi”.
Though it was extremely unlikely
that the spyware had infected more
iPhones that the small number
that were targeted, Apple patched
the vulnerability in iOS 14.7.1.
Apple is now seeking unspecified
compensation for NSO Group’s
“flagrant violations of US federal and
state law”. Apple claims that NSO
Group creates “sophisticated, state-
sponsored surveillance technology
that allows its highly targeted
spyware to surveil its victims”.
Apple also announced that it
will be donating $10 million as
well as any damages received
from the lawsuit to organizations
specializing in “cybersurveillance
research and advocacy”. It will also
support Citizen Lab with “pro-bono
technical, threat intelligence, and
engineering assistance to aid their
independent research mission, and
where appropriate, will offer the same
assistance to other organizations
doing critical work in this space”.