Earlier this year, Pegasus spyware was in the news as it came to light that several governments had used the tool to target activists, journalists and even their own officials. Apple now sued NSO Group — Israel-based company behind Pegasus – To prevent further abuse and harm to its users. In a press release issued by the company, Apple said it is also seeking a permanent injunction prohibiting NSO Group from using any Apple software, services or devices.
Apple said the NSO group creates sophisticated, state-sponsored surveillance technology that allows its highly targeted spyware to survey its victims. Both are victims of spyware like Pegasus Android As well as iPhone the user.
Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of software engineering, said state-sponsored actors like the NSO Group spend millions of dollars on sophisticated surveillance technologies without effective accountability. “This needs to change,” Federighi, before adding, “Apple devices are the most secure consumer hardware on the market – but private companies developing state-sponsored spyware have become even more dangerous.”
He further added that while these cybersecurity threats only affect a small number of Apple customers, it takes any attack on users very seriously. “We’re constantly working to strengthen the security and privacy protections in iOS to keep all of our users safe,” he said.
In the lawsuit that was filed, Apple called the NSO group notorious hackers and “immoral 21st century mercenaries who have built highly sophisticated cyber-surveillance machinery that invites routine and major abuse. They are aggressive and destructive malware.” and design, develop, sell, distribute, deploy, operate and maintain spyware products and services that have been used to target, attack, and harm Apple users, Apple products, and Apple.”
Apple further argued in the lawsuit that NSO’s products are not ordinary consumer malware. “NSO is not interested in showing annoying pop-up ads or even defrauding your bank to withdraw money from your checking account. NSO products are far more insidious and often highly refined. They allow attacks including sovereign governments paying millions of dollars to attack and target a small fraction of users with information of particular interest to NSO’s customers.
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