Recent revelations from an extensive multinational investigation have shed light on Morocco's secretive use of Israeli-developed Pegasus spyware, targeting journalists, activists, and high-ranking officials across Europe. This alarming situation has raised serious concerns regarding privacy violations and the abuse of technology for political purposes.
A former intelligence officer from Morocco has come forward with shocking testimony, alleging that the nation’s security forces utilized Pegasus spyware from 2017 onwards to conduct surveillance on both domestic and international targets. This investigation, spearheaded by Forbidden Stories in collaboration with 14 prominent media outlets—including The Guardian, Le Monde, and Haaretz—relies on a combination of whistleblower accounts, leaked documents, and forensic evidence provided by Amnesty International’s Security Lab.
Details of the Pegasus Operation
The whistleblower, who has chosen to remain anonymous under the pseudonym “Safir,” spent nearly a decade within Morocco's Direction Générale de la Surveillance du Territoire (DGST). Safir's detailed account is not only alarming but is also supported by leaked internal training materials and records of Pegasus targets. This spyware is notorious for its ability to remotely infiltrate mobile devices, enabling operators to access sensitive information such as emails, messages, photos, and even the device's microphone and camera.
The origins of Morocco's Pegasus operations trace back to a private demonstration in Rabat, organized by representatives of Israel’s NSO Group in 2017. The capabilities of this surveillance software were quickly recognized by Moroccan intelligence officials, who understood its potential for invasive monitoring. An interesting aspect of this operation is that the spyware was reportedly acquired through the United Arab Emirates, which acted as an intermediary. Safir likened the arrangement to a subscription service, stating, “Millions for the Emiratis, that’s nothing. The Emirates bought it and redistributed it to friendly services.”
Targeting Journalists and Officials
The investigation details the alarming extent of surveillance, beginning with Moroccan journalists and human rights defenders appearing in Pegasus targeting systems as early as September 2017. Among the victims is Sahrawi human rights activist Aminatou Haidar, along with Spanish journalist Ignacio Cembrero. Reports indicate that over 200 Spanish phone numbers were selected for surveillance, including those belonging to senior officials such as Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and various ministers during a period of heightened diplomatic tensions between Spain and Morocco regarding Western Sahara.
Furthermore, the investigation uncovered that Moroccan intelligence extended its surveillance capabilities to monitor members of Spain’s Guardia Civil during collaborative security operations with Rabat. This breach of trust has led to strong criticisms, with one senior Guardia Civil official describing the espionage as a “betrayal.” The extent of surveillance operations was further revealed during legal actions undertaken by Meta against NSO Group, where evidence emerged linking Morocco to the use of Pegasus through coded identities.
In a world where digital privacy is increasingly under threat, these revelations about Morocco's use of Pegasus spyware underscore the urgent need for international dialogue and policy-making aimed at safeguarding human rights and protecting individuals from unauthorized surveillance. The implications of these findings are profound, emphasizing the intersection of technology, security, and civil liberties.
As reported by palestinechronicle.com.
