WhatsApp has successfully halted a sophisticated surveillance operation impacting over 90 individuals, primarily journalists and civil society activists. The attack, traced back to the Israeli firm Paragon Solutions, was swiftly addressed by the chat messaging app.

According to WhatsApp officials speaking to The Guardian, the victims have been contacted, and there is "high confidence" that their devices may have been compromised. In response, WhatsApp issued a cease-and-desist order to Paragon Solutions and is considering further legal actions.

Paragon Solutions, which promotes itself as an "ethical" cyber defense company and a direct competitor to the infamous NSO Group, has recently experienced significant changes in ownership and client relationships. Last year, AE Industrial Partners, a Florida-based firm, acquired Paragon, followed by a $2 million government contract with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement in September 2024.

This incident is reminiscent of a similar legal battle in 2019 when WhatsApp took NSO Group to court over a surveillance campaign that compromised 1,400 users, including government officials, activists, and journalists. The case concluded with a ruling against NSO Group, setting a significant legal precedent.
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