The revival of unfounded allegations surrounding the Pegasus spyware affair has reignited debate over what critics describe as a persistent tendency among some French media outlets to single out Morocco without proof while paying less attention to surveillance controversies closer to home.
The discussion follows recent coverage by France 24 and other media outlets of a report by Amnesty International’s Belgian section that recycles false claims of Moroccan involvement in surveillance activities using Pegasus spyware.
Critics argue that the latest reporting relies heavily on the testimony of an individual identified only by the pseudonym “Safir,” presented as a former insider within Morocco’s intelligence apparatus.
They contend that the credibility and position of the source have not been subjected to the same scrutiny often applied to similar allegations in other contexts.
Moroccan authorities have repeatedly denied using the spy technology, maintaining the position they have held since the spyware controversy first emerged in 2021.
Rabat has consistently rejected accusations linking the kingdom to alleged surveillance operations and has challenged what it describes as unsubstantiated claims.
Reports based on Pegasus-related allegations often blur the distinction between technical indicators and definitive proof of responsibility. The appearance of a telephone number on a potential targeting list does not necessarily demonstrate that a device was infected, nor does it conclusively establish who may have ordered or conducted any operation.
Former minister and political analyst Lahcen Haddad has echoed such concerns, arguing that serious allegations should be accompanied by independently verifiable evidence and transparent attribution methods. In his view, public accusations should be subjected to rigorous scrutiny before being treated as established fact.
The controversy has also revived questions about what some observers view as uneven media attention toward surveillance-related scandals involving European actors. Critics point to investigations into the Predator spyware ecosystem and the activities of European technology firms accused of exporting surveillance tools to governments around the world.
