New Investigations Uncover France's Interest in Pegasus
Five years after the initial uproar regarding the Pegasus spyware scandal, a new investigation released on July 16, 2026, by the consortium Forbidden Stories has reignited the controversy. The report reveals that France considered acquiring the Israeli spy software at the same time that various French ministers were allegedly targeted by it. During an official visit to Morocco, a country implicated since 2021 for its supposed use of Pegasus against numerous French and Moroccan figures, French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu's involvement raises significant concerns about the transparency of discussions between France and Morocco. Laurent Richard, a journalist and founder of Forbidden Stories, highlights the critical implications of these revelations.
The investigation sheds light on the systematic use of Pegasus by Morocco to surveil opponents, journalists, and dissenting voices both within the country and abroad, particularly among French politicians. Richard points out that during Lecornu's visit to Rabat, the Prime Minister himself was targeted by the spyware, along with seven other ministers. Alarmingly, even the mobile phone of President Emmanuel Macron appeared on a list of potential targets, indicating the severity of this state affair. Notably, internal notes from the General Directorate for External Security (DGSE) suggest that Morocco has been utilizing Pegasus since 2017.
Morocco's Extensive Surveillance Practices Confirmed
In discussing Franco-Moroccan relations, Richard emphasizes the gravity of the situation and questions the sincerity of dialogue between the two nations. Although inquiries were sent to both the Prime Minister and the President regarding whether the issue of Pegasus was discussed during the visit to Morocco and if France received assurances from Morocco to prevent further espionage, no responses were forthcoming from the French government.
Additionally, the testimony of a former Moroccan intelligence agent corroborates the domestic use of the spyware, despite Rabat's ongoing denials. Richard asserts that the scale of surveillance is extensive, recounting how during the Rif movement—a protest that occurred in northern Morocco from October 2016 to August 2017—numerous individuals were spied upon. It is claimed that phones sold in stores were pre-infected with the spyware.
Richard describes Pegasus as one of the most sophisticated spyware available on the market, capable of taking control of a user's camera, microphone, and all messages, even those sent through encrypted messaging apps like Signal or WhatsApp. Once infected, users are left completely vulnerable. Morocco's elaborate surveillance strategy has targeted many journalists, including investigative reporter Omar Radi.
According to Forbidden Stories, various French administrations contemplated acquiring the Pegasus software between 2019 and 2020, developed by the Israeli NSO Group. However, the project was ultimately shelved at the end of 2020 following a decision from the Élysée Palace, as outlined in the investigation. Reports suggest that President Macron raised concerns regarding technological sovereignty and reputational risks as reasons for abandoning the acquisition.
As reported by rfi.fr.
