""“Thousands of lives were saved around the world thanks to NSO Group's technologies used by its customers,” a spokesperson for the developer told us today."
That's OK then - 'think of the children', 'the end justifies the means', 'collateral damage along the way is acceptable', and NSO should be elevated to Saviours of the World. /s
The fact is NSO Group found a business opening - doing for (any) Government that which that government could not, in all conscience, do it's self. I have no doubt that entities within the UK Government will be using NSO technology as will those in the US, Australia, Canada, ........ etc.
I'm no Apple ambassador, and don't own any iThings, but in this I have sympathy for their plight - not that a US Court determination will stop NSO, Google should join Apple in the action.
Governments will always resort to illegal means when they can't get their way legally - just occasionally they get caught out but then they say sorry and run the "Thousands of lives were saved", "Children were protected", with Minister "I have no recollection" mantras, wash, eat humble pie, and continue as usual. What's the betting Priti Patel's Home Office is using (obviously without 'her knowledge') NSO products to further her draconian ends?
I just hope the hacking community target NSO!