US Court Bans Spyware, Forgets to Ban Its Clients
The court's ruling against NSO Group, the Israeli spyware firm behind Pegasus, is presented as a win. Yet, the real story missing is the impunity of NSO's clients—the governments and state actors who pay millions to terrorize activists, journalists, and dissidents worldwide. This isn't just about 'WhatsApp users'; it's about chilling dissent globally, often enabled by US-allied regimes and their
generous payment. This judgment addresses the symptom, not the disease. The US government, and many of its allies who also operate as NSO clients, maintain strong diplomatic and financial ties with Israel. One might wonder if the court is truly concerned about 'irreparable harm' or merely putting on a show, protecting US digital interests while allowing the global surveillance industry to
flourish, as long as it benefits preferred partners. Where are the court orders against those who deploy the spyware? Or do they get a pass?