**Moroccan Intelligence Accused of Unlawful Surveillance of Journalists, Says Amnesty International**
**Published: October 1, 2026**
Amnesty International has released a report accusing Morocco's intelligence agency of employing sophisticated surveillance techniques to monitor and intimidate journalists and human rights defenders. The organization claims that these practices are part of an extensive effort to silence dissenting voices within the country.
The report, titled "Inside Morocco’s Surveillance Machine," details the use of spyware, hidden microphones, and pre-infected mobile phones as tools for unlawful surveillance. Amnesty's findings are based on testimonies from a former employee of the Moroccan domestic intelligence service (DGST), as well as leaked documents and independent journalistic investigations.
According to Amnesty, the Moroccan authorities have established a "vast" surveillance apparatus aimed at stifling critical voices, including journalists and activists. The organization has long accused Morocco of utilizing Pegasus spyware, developed by the Israeli NSO Group, to monitor various individuals, including political figures and civil society members. Despite these allegations, the Moroccan government has consistently denied any wrongdoing regarding the use of spyware against its citizens.
In a proactive measure, Amnesty International reached out to Moroccan authorities four weeks prior to the report's publication but did not receive a response. Al Jazeera also attempted to contact Moroccan officials for comment but was unable to do so immediately.
The report specifically identifies the DGST as the agency responsible for deploying Pegasus spyware in Morocco, with documented usage occurring between 2017 and 2021. Amnesty highlighted the combination of high-tech tools, such as Pegasus, with traditional surveillance methods, including physical tailing and wiretapping. The report states that individuals have been secretly recorded in various settings, including their homes and workplaces, and that phone calls are routinely monitored.
Furthermore, the report alleges that DGST agents have compromised mobile devices sold in shops, infecting them with malware before they are purchased. The whistleblower's testimony revealed alarming practices, such as the infection of internet cafes with spyware and the physical tampering of devices at airports. Notably, microphones were reportedly concealed in the apartment of journalist Omar Radi, who has since been imprisoned.
Amnesty's investigation also analyzed the Pegasus system, identifying 103 Moroccan phone numbers entered into the system between September and December 2017. Of these, 65 belonged to members of civil society, including 34 human rights defenders and 22 journalists. Additionally, the report indicated that 25 of the numbers were associated with political figures, while five were linked to diplomats or representatives of international organizations.
Donncha O Cearbhaill, head of Amnesty’s Security Lab, stated, "These records show the phone numbers of prominent human rights defenders and journalists were among the first to be entered into the Pegasus system." The organization also found evidence suggesting that spyware was delivered through the state-owned Maroc Telecom network, and that Morocco has procured surveillance tools from companies based in Israel, the European Union, and the United States.
Agnes Callamard, Secretary-General of Amnesty International, emphasized that Morocco has adopted "techno-authoritarian practices" that threaten the rights and freedoms of its citizens. In light of these findings, Amnesty has called on the Moroccan government to cease its surveillance activities and urged other nations to halt the export of spyware to Morocco until adequate human rights safeguards are established.
This investigation was conducted in collaboration with 14 media organizations as part of a project coordinated by Forbidden Stories, which aims to expose threats to press freedom and the safety of journalists worldwide.
As concerns over press freedom and human rights continue to grow, the revelations from Amnesty International's report shed light on the challenges faced by journalists and activists in Morocco, raising questions about the balance between national security and individual rights in the digital age.