Morocco's intelligence services have been under scrutiny for their extensive use of Pegasus, a powerful hacking software developed by the Israeli company NSO Group. A former member of Morocco's domestic intelligence service, known only as Safir, has provided unprecedented insights into the country's surveillance operations. Safir's testimony, corroborated by leaked material and technical analysis, reveals a disturbing pattern of surveillance targeting journalists, human rights defenders, French politicians, and Spanish cabinet ministers and police officers.
The Pegasus software, with its ability to remotely access and control a target's mobile phone, presents a significant threat to privacy and security. It can record conversations, capture photos, and even activate the phone's camera and microphone, turning it into a covert listening device. While NSO Group claims Pegasus is exclusively sold to governments for combating crime and terrorism, there is growing evidence of its misuse by various nations.
Morocco has consistently denied using Pegasus to target domestic and international critics. However, Safir's account, supported by technical evidence and witness testimonies, paints a different picture. The whistleblower claims that Moroccan intelligence services began using Pegasus in 2017, deploying it against both domestic and foreign targets over four years. This includes the targeting of Spanish mobile numbers, such as those belonging to prominent human rights activist Aminatou Haidar and journalist Ignacio Cembrero.
The Pegasus Project, a collaborative investigation by 14 media organizations, has uncovered further evidence of Morocco's extensive surveillance activities. Leaked emails, targeting records, and internal training materials provide a comprehensive insight into the country's surveillance practices. The investigation also reveals that Moroccan intelligence officers were given a detailed demonstration of Pegasus in 2017, recognizing its potential for remote infection and data access.
What makes this case particularly intriguing is the suggestion that the UAE provided Pegasus to Morocco as a gift. The software's high cost and the UAE's history of distributing surveillance tools to friendly services raise questions about the extent of their involvement. Safir's statement, comparing Pegasus to a shared Netflix account, implies a complex web of intelligence sharing among regional powers.
The implications of Morocco's Pegasus usage extend beyond individual targets. The targeting of Spanish politicians, including the prime minister and defense minister, during a tense diplomatic row between Madrid and Rabat, suggests a potential motive for espionage. The Spanish government's inability to thoroughly investigate the Pegasus scandal due to Israeli authorities' lack of cooperation further complicates matters.
The Pegasus Project's findings also highlight the potential for abuse of power by intelligence agencies. The targeting of Spanish security forces, including the Guardia Civil, demonstrates the reach of Moroccan surveillance capabilities. The personal phone number of a senior Guardia Civil officer, found on the Pegasus target list, is a stark reminder of the vulnerability of even trusted allies.
The international community's response to the Pegasus scandal has been mixed. NSO Group was placed on a US blacklist for its role in the scandal, and the Israeli defense ministry barred imports of its cyber-technology to several countries, including Morocco and the UAE. However, the investigation has not found evidence of Pegasus-aided surveillance in Morocco after late 2021, leaving room for further investigation and potential legal action.
In conclusion, the Pegasus scandal involving Morocco's intelligence services raises serious concerns about privacy, security, and the potential for state-sponsored espionage. The extensive use of Pegasus, combined with the UAE's involvement and the targeting of foreign officials, underscores the need for international scrutiny and regulation of surveillance technologies. As the world grapples with the implications of Pegasus, it is crucial to address the ethical and legal boundaries of intelligence gathering in the digital age.
