The actions are the first major initiative on spyware since Biden issued an executive order restricting on government use of surveillance software.

The fix follows allegations from a Russian intelligence service that an intentional flaw in iPhones provided a gateway for American espionage.

Eleven nations agreed on Thursday to responsible use of commercial spyware. Israel, a key spyware exporter, is not part of the deal.

The operations are just the latest example of the proliferation of sophisticated spyware among private vendors, Google says.

At least 50 devices belonging to U.S. personnel have been targeted by commercial spyware.

The Biden administration previously weighed in on the case between Meta and the spyware maker to recommend the court dismiss the appeal.

The surveillance-for-hire industry is growing quickly as new firms crop up around the globe to meet market demand.

The lawsuit is the third against the Israeli firm in the U.S., but the first brought by journalists.

Google says it has deployed patches for zero-day vulnerabilities that a Spanish tech company may have used to develop spyware.

The prospect of an executive order limiting use of spyware within U.S. intelligence unleashes potentially even more debate in Washington.