Moroccan Whistleblower Reveals Alleged Use of Pegasus Spyware Against Critics
A former Moroccan intelligence officer has revealed details about the alleged use of Israel-developed Pegasus spyware to monitor journalists, human rights activists and foreign officials.
The whistleblower, identified under the pseudonym Safir, worked for Morocco’s domestic intelligence agency DGST for nearly a decade. His claims were supported by leaked documents, targeting records, victim testimonies and analysis by Amnesty International’s Security Lab, according to an investigation by Forbidden Stories, Amnesty and media partners.
The investigation alleges that Pegasus was introduced to Moroccan intelligence officials in 2017 through representatives of NSO Group, the Israeli company behind the spyware. It claims the tool was later used against Moroccan critics as well as foreign figures, including Spanish officials and journalists.
Morocco previously denied accusations of using Pegasus against critics. The investigation said evidence of its use declined after 2021, following international pressure on NSO Group and restrictions on cyber-technology exports.
