Amnesty: Moroccan intelligence used surveillance to silence journalists
An Amnesty International investigation has found that Moroccan intelligence services deployed spyware, hidden microphones and infected phones to surveil journalists, activists and human rights defenders. The group says the tactics were used to silence critical voices.
Amnesty International has released findings from an investigation showing that Moroccan security services systematically used digital and physical surveillance methods to monitor journalists, activists and human rights defenders in the country.
What the investigation found
Amnesty researchers determined that surveillance targets were subjected to multiple methods, including spyware installed on smartphones, hidden microphones, and devices infected with malicious software. The organization says these tools allowed authorities to access targets' private communications, locations and other sensitive information.
Who was targeted
According to Amnesty, those surveilled included journalists reporting on events in the country, as well as activists and human rights defenders. The group states that the aim of these practices was to silence critical voices and restrict freedom of expression.
The Amnesty International investigation adds to a series of prior reports documenting the use of digital surveillance tools against civil society figures in multiple countries around the world.
