New Investigations Shed Light on Pegasus Scandal
Five years after the initial revelations surrounding the Pegasus scandal, a fresh investigation released on July 16, 2026, by the investigative consortium Forbidden Stories has reignited discussions about the controversial Israeli spyware. This new report suggests that France was contemplating the acquisition of the Pegasus software at a time when several French ministers were reportedly targeted. Notably, during a recent official visit to Morocco by French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, the country—previously implicated in 2021 for allegedly using Pegasus against various French and Moroccan figures—was at the center of renewed scrutiny. Laurent Richard, the journalist and founder of Forbidden Stories, emphasized that these revelations raise significant questions about the transparency of discussions between France and Morocco.
Alarming Allegations of Surveillance
The Forbidden Stories investigation reveals alarming insights into Morocco's systematic use of Pegasus to monitor opponents, journalists, and critical voices both within the kingdom and internationally, particularly targeting French politicians. Richard pointed out that even Prime Minister Lecornu was a victim of this spyware, stating, "The Prime Minister himself was infected by Pegasus, along with seven other ministers. Notably, Emmanuel Macron's phone also appeared on the potential target list." This raises serious concerns about state security and the implications of foreign surveillance on French officials. Richard further disclosed that notes from the General Directorate for External Security (DGSE) indicate that Morocco has been employing Pegasus since 2017.
The gravity of this situation is underscored by the lack of responses from the French government when inquiries were made regarding whether the topic of Pegasus was discussed during Lecornu's visit to Morocco. The absence of assurances from Morocco against future espionage activities raises critical questions about the integrity of Franco-Moroccan relations.
Moreover, an ex-Moroccan intelligence agent confirmed to the investigative journalists the extensive domestic use of the Pegasus software, despite continuous denials from Rabat. Richard noted that the scale of espionage is considerable, particularly during the Hirak movement, a protest movement in northern Morocco that occurred from October 2016 to August 2017. He explained that the sophistication of Pegasus allows for intrusive surveillance capabilities, enabling the control of cameras, microphones, and access to encrypted messaging platforms like Signal and WhatsApp. This level of infiltration means that once an individual is infected with Pegasus, they are entirely compromised.
According to the consortium, various French administrations explored the possibility of acquiring Pegasus between 2019 and 2020, although this project was seemingly abandoned at the end of 2020 following a decision from the Élysée Palace. Reports suggest that President Macron cited concerns over technological sovereignty and reputational risks as reasons for halting the acquisition process.
As reported by rfi.fr.
