A whistleblower from Morocco’s domestic intelligence service has shed light on the alarming extent to which the state has deployed the infamous Pegasus hacking software. This revelation implicates the North African nation in a clandestine operation targeting journalists, human rights activists, and foreign officials, including prominent figures from France and Spain.
The Whistleblower’s Allegations
For nearly a decade, the former agent, who has chosen to remain anonymous under the pseudonym ‘Safir’, has provided critical evidence suggesting that the Moroccan intelligence agency, Direction Générale de la Surveillance du Territoire (DGST), has been utilising Pegasus since 2017. This sophisticated spyware, manufactured by the Israeli NSO Group, enables the operator to infiltrate mobile devices, accessing everything from emails and texts to activating cameras and microphones.
Morocco, long in denial about its surveillance practices, dismissed allegations as unfounded, claiming that investigations into its relationship with NSO Group lacked evidence. However, Safir’s testimony has become the cornerstone of a comprehensive investigation led by Moroccan journalist Hicham Mansouri, supported by a coalition of 14 media organisations, including Le Monde and the Guardian.
Uncovering the Tactics of Surveillance
The consortium’s findings revealed that in 2017, high-ranking officials from Morocco received a detailed demonstration of Pegasus’s capabilities in a luxurious villa in Rabat, suggesting a strong interest in the spyware’s revolutionary potential. The demonstration showcased the software’s ability to infiltrate targets’ devices remotely, a game-changer for intelligence operations that previously required physical access.
According to Safir, who described Pegasus as “the monster’s weapon,” the spyware was reserved for high-value targets after cheaper alternatives had been exhausted. The intelligence community in Morocco had previously relied on traditional methods, such as human intelligence and low-tech spyware, before adopting this advanced tool.
The investigation also highlighted that from the outset, Moroccan numbers were placed in the Pegasus system for testing. By September 2017, the targeting extended beyond national borders, with Spanish human rights activists and journalists, including Aminatou Haidar and Ignacio Cembrero, marked as targets.
International Implications and Political Fallout
The ramifications of these revelations extend beyond Morocco’s borders. In May 2022, Spain disclosed that the mobile phones of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Defence Minister Margarita Robles had been compromised by Pegasus in 2021, amidst escalating diplomatic tensions between Madrid and Rabat. This breach occurred during a period of heightened scrutiny over Spain’s treatment of the Polisario Front leader, raising questions about state surveillance and foreign relations.
Despite numerous judicial inquiries aimed at uncovering the truth behind these cyber intrusions, Spanish authorities have faced persistent challenges, including a lack of cooperation from Israel regarding NSO Group. The investigation was initially shelved but was revived after new evidence emerged, linking Moroccan intelligence to the targeting of Spanish officials.
The situation became even more complicated when it was revealed that the DGST had allegedly sought to intercept communications from Spanish law enforcement officers who had visited Morocco for counter-terrorism training. One senior officer’s phone number appeared multiple times on a list of Pegasus targets, prompting accusations of betrayal within the ranks of the Guardia Civil.
The Dangers of State Surveillance
The troubling revelations from the Pegasus Project indicate a much darker narrative surrounding state surveillance in Morocco. One former DGST officer candidly stated, “We spy on everyone,” underscoring the pervasive nature of state monitoring that extends to those who might otherwise be considered allies.
As international scrutiny intensifies, the leaked documents and testimonies have painted a picture of a regime that prioritises surveillance over civil liberties, targeting not just adversaries but also those within its own ranks who may be deemed a threat.
Why it Matters
This investigation is a chilling reminder of the lengths to which governments may go to monitor and silence dissent. The implications of Morocco’s use of Pegasus extend far beyond its borders, calling into question the integrity of international alliances and the protections afforded to individuals against state-sponsored surveillance. As more whistleblowers come forward and investigations unfold, the need for transparency around the use of spyware and its ethical implications is more urgent than ever. The revelations compel governments and civil society to confront the uncomfortable reality of how technology can be weaponised against personal freedoms and democratic values.