Morocco's use of Pegasus spyware has been a topic of intense debate and scrutiny, with a former intelligence insider providing unprecedented insight into the country's surveillance practices. This has led to a collaborative investigation between several media groups, with technical support from Amnesty International's Security Lab. The Pegasus Project: Inside the Moroccan Spying Machine has revealed a range of disturbing findings, including the use of Pegasus to target journalists, human rights defenders, French politicians, and Spanish cabinet ministers and police officers.
One of the most striking revelations is the extent to which Pegasus was used to target individuals outside of Morocco. A Spanish mobile number belonging to Aminatou Haidar, a prominent human rights activist from Western Sahara, was included in the leaked database and found to have been targeted by Pegasus dating back to 2018. This raises a deeper question: to what extent are human rights defenders and activists in the region being spied on and targeted by state actors?
The investigation also uncovered evidence that the DGST, Morocco's internal security services, began using Pegasus in 2017 and went on to deploy it against domestic and foreign targets over the course of four years. This raises a number of concerns, including the potential for abuse of power and the erosion of civil liberties. It also highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in the use of surveillance technology.
One thing that immediately stands out is the role of the UAE in the acquisition and distribution of Pegasus. The whistleblower suggested that the hugely expensive spyware was a gift from the UAE, and that it was used by Morocco to target high-value individuals once cheaper and less sophisticated options had been exhausted. This raises a number of questions about the role of regional powers in the spread of surveillance technology and the potential for abuse of power.
In my opinion, the Pegasus Project has revealed a disturbing pattern of surveillance and targeting of individuals in the region. It highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in the use of surveillance technology, and the potential for abuse of power by state actors. It also raises important questions about the role of regional powers in the spread of surveillance technology and the potential for erosion of civil liberties. Personally, I think that this investigation should be a wake-up call for governments and international organizations to take action to prevent the misuse of surveillance technology and protect the rights and freedoms of individuals.
