Meta Takes Legal Action Against NSO Group for Breaking Court Order

Meta 因 NSO Group 違反法院命令而採取法律行動

Jun 8, 2026, 20:26
GlobalTechnology

Introduction

Meta has announced that it is asking a federal court to hold the Israeli company NSO Group in contempt. Meta claims that the company broke a permanent court order that forbids them from targeting WhatsApp users.

Meta 宣布其正請求聯邦法院判定以色列公司 NSO Group 蔑視法庭。Meta 指稱該公司違反了一項禁止其針對 WhatsApp 用戶的永久法院命令。

Main Body

This legal move follows the discovery of 'spear phishing' attacks and the creation of unauthorized test accounts on WhatsApp. Meta describes these as '1-click' phishing campaigns, where users are tricked into clicking malicious links to compromise their devices. Consequently, Meta asserts that these actions violate a permanent injunction previously issued by a US District Court.

此次法律行動是因為發現了「魚叉式網路釣魚」攻擊，以及在 WhatsApp 上創建了未經授權的測試帳號。Meta 將其描述為「一擊」釣魚企劃，用戶會被誘導點擊惡意連結以入侵其裝置。因此，Meta 主張這些行為違反了美國地區法院先前發出的永久禁制令。

The conflict between the two companies began in 2019, when Meta alleged that NSO Group used its 'Pegasus' spyware to target about 1,400 devices. The court found that NSO had analyzed WhatsApp's code to bypass its security. Although a jury originally awarded Meta $167 million in damages, a judge later reduced this amount to $4 million. Meanwhile, NSO Group has tried to cancel the court order, arguing that the restriction threatens the sales of Pegasus.

兩家公司之間的衝突始於 2019 年，當時 Meta 指控 NSO Group 使用其「Pegasus」間諜軟體針對約 1,400 部裝置。法院發現 NSO 分析了 WhatsApp 的代碼以繞過其安全機制。雖然陪審團最初判給 Meta 1.67 億美元的損害賠償金，但法官隨後將此金額降低至 400 萬美元。與此同時，NSO Group 試圖撤銷法院命令，理由是該限制威脅到 Pegasus 的銷售。

Furthermore, NSO Group is currently on the US government's 'Entity List' because it is seen as a risk to national security. A group of twelve civil rights organizations and the Knight First Amendment Institute are opposing NSO's appeal in court. These organizations emphasize that commercial spyware allows for total surveillance, which harms free speech and press freedom worldwide.

此外，NSO Group 目前被列入美國政府的「實體清單」，因為它被視為對國家安全構成風險。十二個民權組織與 Knight First Amendment Institute 正在法院反對 NSO 的上訴。這些組織強調，商業間諜軟體允許全面監控，這會損害全球的言論自由與新聞自由。

Conclusion

Meta is now seeking legal penalties against NSO Group, while NSO continues to fight the court order in an attempt to remove it.

Meta 目前正尋求對 NSO Group 採取法律處罰，而 NSO 則繼續對抗法院命令，試圖將其撤銷。

Vocabulary Learning

⚡ The Power of 'Logical Connectors'

To move from A2 (simple sentences) to B2 (complex flow), you must stop using and, but, and so for everything. Look at how this text connects ideas to create a professional, legal tone.

1. The 'Result' Shift: Consequently Instead of saying "So, Meta says...", the text uses "Consequently."

  • A2 Style: NSO broke the rules, so Meta is suing them.
  • B2 Style: NSO broke the rules; consequently, Meta is seeking legal penalties.
  • Coach's Tip: Use this at the start of a sentence to show a direct cause-and-effect relationship.

2. The 'Addition' Boost: Furthermore When you have more information to add, "Also" is too basic. "Furthermore" signals to the reader that the next point is even more important than the last.

  • Example from text: The author first discusses the court case, then uses furthermore to introduce the US government's "Entity List."

3. The 'Contrast' Bridge: Although B2 speakers don't just use "But" in the middle of a sentence. They use "Although" to create a complex sentence structure where one part of the sentence makes the other part surprising.

  • The Structure: Although [Fact A], [Surprising Fact B].
  • Text Analysis: "Although a jury originally awarded Meta 167million...ajudgelaterreducedthisamountto167 million... a judge later reduced this amount to 4 million."

🚀 Quick Level-Up Cheat Sheet

Instead of... (A2)Try this... (B2)Why?
SoConsequentlySounds more objective/formal
AlsoFurthermoreAdds weight to your argument
ButAlthoughShows a higher level of grammar control

Vocabulary Learning

contempt (n.)
The crime of being disobedient to or disrespectful toward a court of law.
Example:The witness was held in contempt of court for refusing to answer the judge's questions.
forbid (v.)
To refuse to allow something; to prohibit.
Example:The new company policy forbids employees from using personal phones during meetings.
compromise (v.)
To make something vulnerable or expose it to danger, especially a security system.
Example:A weak password can easily compromise the security of your entire network.
assert (v.)
To state a fact or belief confidently and forcefully.
Example:The lawyer continued to assert that his client was innocent despite the evidence.
injunction (n.)
An official order from a court that stops a person or company from doing something.
Example:The court granted an injunction to stop the construction of the building until the land dispute was settled.
allege (v.)
To claim that someone has done something wrong or illegal, but without proof.
Example:The report alleges that the company ignored safety warnings for several years.
bypass (v.)
To go around a system or obstacle to avoid it.
Example:Hackers often try to bypass security firewalls to gain access to private data.
emphasize (v.)
To give special importance or attention to something when speaking or writing.
Example:The teacher wanted to emphasize the importance of reviewing the notes before the final exam.
surveillance (n.)
The careful watching of a person or place, especially by the police or army.
Example:The government increased surveillance at the borders to prevent illegal smuggling.
Practice B2 words in a crossword→