By Sally Vazquez-Castellanos | Perspectives: Technology, Global Privacy & Data Protection Law
Published on October 12, 2026 at approximately 5:41 am.
Apple’s lawsuit against spyware developer NSO Group ended without a determination of the underlying allegations. On November 12, 2024, the federal district court granted Apple’s request for voluntary dismissal without prejudice.
According to the court’s order, Apple’s principal concern was that discovery could reveal the measures it had developed to protect users. Apple also maintained that its improved protections had reduced NSO’s threat. The court denied NSO’s request for attorneys’ fees and costs. (docs.justia.com)
The dismissal illustrates a difficult tension: litigation can provide a means of accountability, while disclosure of security defenses may create additional risks. Apple’s decision ended this case without resolving whether NSO was liable for the alleged conduct. It did not establish that the allegations were unfounded.
Authority: Apple Inc. v. NSO Group Technologies Ltd., No. 3:21-cv-09078-JD, Order re Voluntary Dismissal and Sealing, ECF No. 103 (N.D. Cal. Nov. 12, 2024). Read the order.
This commentary provides general information, not legal advice. Prepared with assistance from ChatGPT.