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[INTERNATIONAL] · Morocco · 8 sources

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Part of situation: Spyware surveillance targeting activists in Serbia (2 clusters)

Morocco intelligence accused of using spyware to target activists

Amnesty International DGST Pegasus spyware surveillance human rights

Amnesty International has released a report titled ‘We start with the verdict: Inside Morocco’s surveillance machine’, alleging that the Moroccan domestic intelligence agency, the DGST, operates an expansive surveillance apparatus to target journalists, activists, and dissidents. The investigation, supported by whistleblower testimony from a former DGST employee, claims the agency has used sophisticated digital tools and traditional methods to monitor critical voices both within Morocco and abroad.

The report details the use of Pegasus spyware, developed by the NSO Group, which the DGST reportedly began deploying as early as 2017. Surveillance methods described include ‘zero-click’ exploits, phishing, and the use of other tools such as Eagle, Remote Control System, and FinSpy. Additionally, the agency is accused of using traditional tactics like wiretapping, physical tailing, and secret audio/video recording in private spaces such as homes and offices.

Amnesty also reported that intelligence agents allegedly conspired with mobile phone retailers to sell devices pre-infected with malware. While Moroccan authorities have repeatedly denied using spyware against their citizens, the report asserts that these techno-authoritarian practices are used to instill fear and obstruct the work of human rights defenders.

Entities

Agnès Callamard · Amnesty International · DGST · Direction Générale de la Surveillance du Territoire · Morocco · NSO Group

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Sources

Surveillance Maroc : le débat relancé [afrikactus.com]
Moroccan Intelligence Allegedly Uses Airports to Deploy Spyware [lemaroc360.com]
Moroccan intelligence uses surveillance to ‘silence’ journalists: Amnesty - Jamaica Inquirer – Daily Jamaica News [jamaicainquirer.com]
Moroccan intelligence uses surveillance to ‘silence’ journalists: Amnesty - Dominican Republic Post – Caribbean News, Business, Travel & Culture [dominicanrepublicpost.com]
Maroc, Un lanceur d’alerte révèle un réseau illégal de surveillance de masse [jeunes.amnesty.be]
Maroc, Un lanceur d’alerte révèle un réseau illégal de surveillance de masse [www.amnesty.be]
Amnesty Report Documents Morocco's Sustained Spyware Campaign Against Civil Society [www.occrp.org]
Whistleblower reveals how Morocco used a web of surveillance to silence journalists and activists [www.amnesty.org]