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Court Dismisses El Faro Journalists' Lawsuit Against NSO Group

Court Dismisses El Faro Journalists' Lawsuit Against NSO Group

First seen 1 Oct 2026, 05:58 UTC • •
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ThreatCluster AI
ThreatCluster •October 2, 2026 at 05:06 UTC
  • •A U.S. federal judge dismissed a lawsuit by El Faro journalists against NSO Group.
  • •The journalists alleged their iPhones were infected with Pegasus spyware, compromising their data.
  • •The Knight Institute intends to appeal the ruling to hold NSO Group accountable.

A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit by Salvadoran journalists from El Faro against NSO Group, alleging they were targeted by spyware attacks using Pegasus technology. The court found that it lacked specific personal jurisdiction over NSO Group, which is based in Israel. The journalists claimed their iPhones were infected with Pegasus spyware between June 2020 and November 2021, leading to unauthorized access to their communications and personal data. The case was initially filed in 2022 after the journalists reported being victims of these attacks. The Knight First Amendment Institute plans to appeal the ruling, emphasizing the need for accountability for spyware manufacturers. NSO Group has faced scrutiny for its technology being used against journalists and activists globally. This case marks a significant legal challenge against the spyware industry.

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Timeline

2022-11-01
Lawsuit filed by El Faro journalists
The Knight Institute filed a lawsuit against NSO Group alleging violations of U.S. law related to spyware attacks.
Knightcolumbia
2026-09-30
Judge dismisses lawsuit
A federal judge ruled that the court lacked specific personal jurisdiction over NSO Group, dismissing the case.
Courthousenews

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Common questions

What was the basis for the lawsuit dismissal?
The court found it lacked specific personal jurisdiction over NSO Group, which is based in Israel.
What are the next steps for the journalists?
The Knight Institute plans to appeal the ruling to seek accountability for NSO Group.
How many journalists were affected by the spyware?
At least 22 of El Faro's 35 employees reported being targeted by the spyware.