NSO Group—Apple filed lawsuit against NSO Group seeking permanent injunction to ban it from using Apple software and devices
On November 23, 2021, Apple announced a lawsuit against NSO Group and its parent company OSY Technologies for surveilling and targeting iPhone users with Pegasus spyware. Apple sought a permanent injunction banning NSO from using any Apple software, services, or devices, and pledged $10 million plus any damages to organizations pursuing cybersurveillance research. In September 2024, Apple dropped the lawsuit citing concerns that critical spyware files might never be disclosed and that Apple's own disclosures could aid NSO.
Scoring Impact
| Topic | Direction | Relevance | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Safety for Vulnerable Users | -against | secondary | -0.50 |
| Surveillance Technology | +toward | primary | -1.00 |
| Overall incident score = | -0.664 | ||
Score = avg(topic contributions) × significance (high ×1.5) × confidence (0.59)
Evidence (2 signals)
Apple dropped its lawsuit against NSO Group in September 2024 citing disclosure concerns
In September 2024, Apple announced its intention to drop the lawsuit, arguing that critical spyware files might never be disclosed and that Apple's own disclosures could aid NSO and similar companies. Apple also cited the existing US ban on doing business with NSO.
Apple announced lawsuit against NSO Group to curb abuse of state-sponsored spyware
Apple filed a lawsuit against NSO Group and parent company OSY Technologies on November 23, 2021, seeking a permanent injunction banning NSO from Apple software, services, and devices. Apple also committed $10 million plus damages to cybersurveillance research organizations.