Amnesty accuses Morocco of spying on activists and journalists

Amnesty International has accused Morocco of using spyware and other surveillance tools against activists, journalists, human rights defenders and other critical voices inside and outside the country.

In a report, the rights organisation alleges that Morocco’s domestic intelligence service, the DGST, operated a surveillance system combining digital and analogue methods. The alleged techniques included spyware attacks, phone interception, covert recording and monitoring people’s movements.

Amnesty said the reported targeting extended to French and Spanish politicians, although it did not identify those individuals. The organisation also alleged that personal information gathered about activists and human rights defenders was used in public smear campaigns against them.

Allegations of covert monitoring

The report claims that people were secretly filmed and recorded in detention facilities, offices, cars and bedrooms. It also alleges that telephone conversations were systematically monitored.

“People are secretly videoed and audio recorded in detention, in their own offices and cars, and even in their own bedrooms,” the report states.

In another allegation, the report says, “Phone calls are systematically recorded and spied upon.” It further claims that some shops sold mobile phones allegedly infected with malware by DGST agents.

Amnesty said the DGST obtained surveillance technology from Israeli, American and European companies. The organisation said it compiled its findings using testimony from a former Moroccan intelligence officer, leaked documents and journalistic investigations.

Morocco denies spyware allegations

Morocco has repeatedly denied using spyware to spy on its citizens. The detailed allegations in the Amnesty report have not been independently verified in the supplied reporting.

Amnesty called on Morocco to end surveillance of activists and journalists and to establish an independent investigation into the DGST.

Non-governmental organisations, including Amnesty International, have for years accused Morocco of using Pegasus spyware, a product developed by the Israeli NSO Group.