Apple is Motherpissed off.
The iPhone maker announced Tuesday that it's suing NSO Group, the company behind the notorious Pegasus spyware used to target journalists and human rights activists around the world. And Apple's not mincing any words in the process.
The complaint, filed in the Northern District of California, calls the NSO Group "notorious hackers—amoral 21st century mercenaries who have created highly sophisticated cyber-surveillance machinery that invites routine and flagrant abuse."
Apple is also seeking a permanent injunction against NSO Group, effectively banning the Israeli company from using any Apple products or services. Craig Federighi, Apple's senior vice president of software engineering, said in Apple's announcement that enough is enough.
"State-sponsored actors like the NSO Group spend millions of dollars on sophisticated surveillance technologies without effective accountability," he explained. "That needs to change."
NSO Group made waves in August of 2021 when a group of media outlets, under the banner of the Pegasus Project, reported on repressive governments' efforts around the world to use the spyware maker's tech to investigate journalists and human rights workers.
"After checking their claims, we firmly deny the false allegations made in their report," NSO Group wrote in response at the time.
Apple is not the only tech giant to take legal action against NSO Group. In 2019, Facebook (now Meta) sued NSO Group for allegedly both developing and deploying spyware on approximately 1,400 users' phones via Facebook-owned WhatsApp. That case is ongoing.
SEE ALSO: How to find stalkerware on your smartphoneNotably, Apple is seeking damages. In a fitting turn, Apple said that any damages it receives it intends to donate to "organizations pursuing cybersurveillance research and advocacy."
Topics Apple Cybersecurity Privacy
Gods of War
Samsung announces Galaxy S21 FE for $699
Best Royal Wedding memes from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding
Beloved star Betty White dies at 99
Keeping Hope Alive
The hashtag campaign saying 'Hear Me Out' about Ireland's abortion laws
Michael Keaton deserves an award for the Batman comment he made at a graduation speech
Trump made a video on Yanny or Laurel and this meme is officially dead
Amazon Pet Day: All the best deals
7 ways to improve your privacy in 2022
Best robot vacuum deal: Save $200 on Eufy X10 Pro Omni robot vacuum
Photographer shares the story of his viral royal wedding photo
Beloved star Betty White dies at 99
Need a good New Year's resolution? Back up your computer.
Keeping Hope Alive
Samsung announces Galaxy S21 FE for $699
This photo of Prince George at the royal wedding has officially got the meme treatment
BMW iX gets a CES makeover, including color
NYT Connections hints and answers for May 18: Tips to solve 'Connections' #707.
Grimes is legally changing her name, thanks to Elon Musk
Politics and potatoes rose to the tops of our Twitter feeds this weekYes, Michael Jackson really was on 'The Simpsons'Here's how to make your 'Mini' (me) sticker in Google GboardHands on with the redesigned Wear OS by Google for smartwatchesStunning videos show meteor light up Australian skyThis YouTube artist paints scenes straight out of your favorite video gamesDoes Louis C.K. deserve a comeback? Evidently, it doesn't matter.Balenciaga's $9,000 coat is pretty much a bunch of jackets on top of each otherNASA's New Horizons snaps its first photo of Ultima ThuleLilly Singh & Dia Mirza among latest round of confirmed Social Good Summit speakersPhoto of police in riot gear arresting protester in a dress strikes chord on social mediaHere's how to make your 'Mini' (me) sticker in Google GboardState Department reopens the probe into Hillary Clinton's emailsGoogle Assistant can now understand two different languages at onceCalvin Harris' new song throws tons of shade at HiddleswiftPolitics and potatoes rose to the tops of our Twitter feeds this weekRyan Gosling's 'First Man' premieres in Venice: Review roundThis YouTube artist paints scenes straight out of your favorite video gamesFacebook temporarily removed status updates crossThis AR documentary lets you know how it really feels to interrogate someone at immigration This amazing GIF shows a solar eclipse moving across the Earth Spatial’s new AR meeting app might save you from the Zoom grid of doom Trump's DACA decision is a double whammy for hurricane survivors Man attempts to hide from TV camera, fails spectacularly Martin Shkreli could go to jail for offering people $5,000 to grab Hillary Clinton's hair John Legend once tried to break up with Chrissy Teigen, but she shut him down Apple TV+'s 'Wolfwalkers' has a whymiscal, stunning story world Twitter tests audio conversation 'spaces' with user moderation tools This guy turned a joke on Twitter into a fundraiser and a published book. What have you done today? Australia's High Court website crashes minutes before marriage equality postal vote decision A headline on a health story started an intergenerational war on Twitter Latest iOS update shows all the ways Facebook tracks you. There are a lot. New York City schools will now offer free lunch to every kid who wants it Uber tacks on new fee for Prop. 22 gig worker benefits 'Jurassic World Aftermath' shows VR doesn't make a bad game good High Court's same YouTuber 'reviews' Samsung's upcoming Galaxy S21+ like it's no big deal 'Dreamers' flood Twitter with messages of hope as Trump decides their fate Guy drops iPhone out of plane, iPhone survives, takes video of entire ordeal Jesus battles the Buddha in fighting game hellbent on offending