What's happened
A multinational investigation has found new details on Morocco’s use of Pegasus spyware, including demonstrations in Rabat in 2017 and targets inside and outside the country. The reports, based on testimony from a whistleblower and leaked data, show Morocco using the tool as a high-value option after other methods failed. The series also notes critics’ concerns and ongoing government responses.
What's behind the headline?
Context and implications
- The Pegasus Project confirms that Moroccan security services considered Pegasus a powerful instrument after exhausting cheaper methods
- The new material shows a pattern of domestic surveillance and cross-border targeting, raising questions about accountability
- The involvement of multiple outlets and Amnesty International strengthens the credibility of the reporting
What this means for readers
- The revelations underscore risks to press freedom and civil liberties in Morocco and allied states
- Policymakers in several countries may reassess export controls and oversight for spyware technologies
Forecast
- Expect further disclosures as reviews of past surveillance practices continue and potential legal challenges emerge
How we got here
Investigations by Forbidden Stories and a coalition of outlets have built on a 2021 report alleging Moroccan use of Pegasus. New documents and testimonies describe demonstrations of Pegasus in Rabat in 2017, the targeting of journalists and dissidents, and ongoing government denials alongside calls for transparency.
Our analysis
France 24, The Guardian, Le Monde, Haaretz, El Confidencial, Die Zeit, Amnesty International Security Lab, Forbidden Stories, and other members of the Pegasus Project consortium.
Go deeper
- What new evidence will authorities require to substantiate the whistleblower’s claims?
- Will any governments review their use of NSO Pegasus products in light of these disclosures?
- How might Morocco respond to renewed calls for transparency and accountability?
More on these topics
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Morocco - Country in North Africa
Morocco, officially the Kingdom of Morocco, is a country located in the Maghreb region of North Africa. It overlooks the Mediterranean Sea to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the west, with land borders with Algeria to the east and Western Sahara to th
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Le Monde - Newspaper
Le Monde is a French daily afternoon newspaper. It is the main publication of Le Monde Group and reported an average circulation of 323,039 copies per issue in 2009, about 40,000 of which were sold abroad.
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NSO Group - Surveillance company
NSO Group Technologies is an Israeli technology firm whose spyware called Pegasus enables the remote surveillance of smartphones. It was founded in 2010 by Niv Carmi, Omri Lavie, and Shalev Hulio. It employed almost 500 people as of 2017, and is based in
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Spain - Country
Spain, officially the Kingdom of Spain, is a country in Southwestern Europe with some pockets of territory across the Strait of Gibraltar and the Atlantic Ocean. Its continental European territory is situated on the Iberian Peninsula.
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Forbidden Stories - Non-profit organization
Forbidden Stories is a non-profit organization with the mission "to continue and publish the work of other journalists facing threats, prison, or murder."
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Amnesty International - Non-governmental organization
Amnesty International is a non-governmental organization with its headquarters in the United Kingdom focused on human rights. The organization says it has more than eight million members and supporters around the world.
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France - Country in Europe
France, officially the French Republic, is a country consisting of metropolitan France in Western Europe and several overseas regions and territories.