Moroccan Whistleblower Exposes Use of Pegasus Spyware for Surveillance

A Moroccan intelligence whistleblower revealed that the government used Israeli-made Pegasus spyware to surveil journalists, human rights defenders, and foreign officials. The insider, known as Safir, provided details of the Moroccan domestic intelligence service's (DGST) operations, including the introduction of Pegasus in 2017 and its use against over 200 targets, including Spanish journalists and activists. The investigation, conducted by Forbidden Stories and supported by Amnesty International, corroborated Safir's claims with leaked documents and testimonies. Morocco's surveillance tactics included not only Pegasus but also keyloggers, pre-installed spyware on phones, and other invasive methods. The whistleblower's account highlights the extensive and aggressive nature of Morocco's surveillance program, which has been denied by the government in the past.

Key Points: • Moroccan intelligence used Pegasus spyware to target journalists and activists. • The whistleblower's account reveals a broader arsenal of surveillance tools employed by the DGST. • Over 200 targets, including foreign officials, were reportedly monitored using Pegasus.