Meta has won a $168 million verdict against Israeli spyware firm NSO Group after a six-year legal battle over the illegal use of WhatsApp to install spyware on users’ devices. A California jury awarded Meta $444,719 in compensatory damages and $167.3 million in punitive damages. The case, which drew international attention, exposed some of NSO’s internal workings, including a $50 million budget and its government clients. NSO plans to review the verdict and may appeal. Meta hailed the ruling as a major step in defending user privacy and combating unlawful surveillance.