Moroccan Intelligence Used Pegasus Spyware Extensively

A former member of Morocco's domestic intelligence service has provided detailed information regarding the extensive use of hacking software, including Pegasus spyware, by the North African state. This insider's testimony suggests that the spyware was deployed from 2017 onwards against a range of key domestic and foreign targets. The revelations indicate that Moroccan security services utilized the software to monitor journalists, human rights defenders, French politicians, and Spanish cabinet ministers and police officers.

Pegasus spyware, developed by the Israel-based NSO Group, grants its operators comprehensive access to a target's mobile phone. This access includes the ability to view emails, text messages, and photographs stored on the device. Furthermore, the spyware can remotely activate the phone's microphone and camera, effectively transforming the device into a surveillance tool capable of recording audio and capturing images without the user's knowledge.

The former intelligence insider's account offers an unprecedented glimpse into the operational methods of Morocco's internal security apparatus. The scope of targets identified suggests a deliberate strategy to gather intelligence and potentially exert influence through digital surveillance. The involvement of French and Spanish officials among the targets highlights the international implications of Morocco's alleged spyware deployment.

NSO Group, the manufacturer of Pegasus, has previously faced scrutiny and accusations regarding the misuse of its technology by various governments. The company has maintained that its software is sold only to vetted government entities for legitimate security and counter-terrorism purposes. However, this latest revelation from a Moroccan intelligence insider adds significant weight to ongoing concerns about the unchecked proliferation and application of advanced surveillance technologies.