Morocco's intelligence services have been under scrutiny for their extensive use of Pegasus, a powerful hacking software developed by the Israeli firm NSO Group. A former member of Morocco's domestic intelligence service, known as Safir, has provided unprecedented insights into the country's surveillance operations. Safir's testimony, corroborated by leaked material and technical analysis, reveals a sophisticated and extensive program targeting journalists, human rights defenders, French politicians, and Spanish cabinet ministers and police officers.
The Pegasus software, with its remote-infection capabilities, allows operators to access a target's mobile phone data, including emails, text messages, and photographs. It can even activate the phone's camera and microphone, turning it into a covert listening device. NSO Group claims Pegasus is exclusively sold to governments for tracking criminals and terrorists, but evidence suggests otherwise.
Safir's account details a high-profile demonstration in 2017, where NSO Group representatives showcased Pegasus to Moroccan intelligence officers and technical experts. The software's ability to remotely infect phones was deemed 'revolutionary', eliminating the need for physical access to targets. This revelation raises questions about the ethical implications of such powerful surveillance tools in the hands of governments.
The investigation, titled the Pegasus Project, uncovered a pattern of targeting Moroccan journalists and human rights defenders, with their mobile numbers appearing in the Pegasus database as early as September 2017. The scope of the surveillance extended beyond Morocco's borders, with Spanish activists and journalists, including Aminatou Haidar and Ignacio Cembrero, being targeted. The Spanish government confirmed that the phones of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Defense Minister Margarita Robles were infected with Pegasus in 2021, during a tense diplomatic row between Spain and Morocco.
The Pegasus Project also highlights the involvement of the UAE, with the whistleblower suggesting the spyware was a gift from the Emiratis. The DGST, Morocco's internal security service, used Pegasus for high-value targets after exhausting cheaper alternatives. The investigation further reveals that Moroccan intelligence sought access to the communications of Spanish security forces who had traveled to Morocco, raising concerns about the extent of their surveillance capabilities.
The NSO Group's involvement in global surveillance has led to legal battles and blacklisting. Meta, WhatsApp's parent company, sued NSO Group in the US for exploiting its platform. The US administration determined that NSO Group acted against US foreign policy and national security interests, resulting in a blacklist. This incident underscores the global impact of Pegasus and the need for international scrutiny of surveillance technologies.
In conclusion, the Pegasus Project sheds light on the intricate web of surveillance and intelligence operations in Morocco, raising important questions about privacy, ethics, and the potential abuse of power. As the world grapples with the implications of advanced hacking software, this investigation serves as a stark reminder of the need for transparency and accountability in the realm of intelligence and security.
