A recent report by Amnesty International has brought the Pegasus spyware program back into the spotlight, with many on social media criticizing the organization's approach as rehashing old accusations against Morocco without providing concrete evidence. The report has sparked a heated debate about media bias and double standards in digital surveillance.
Several Moroccan social media accounts have expressed frustration with the French media's coverage of the Pegasus issue, accusing them of having double standards when it comes to digital surveillance. They point to other spyware programs and European companies, such as Predator, Nexa Technologies, Amesys, and Intellexa, which have been involved in similar controversies.
Mehdi Al Qarouani, a professor, has claimed that Pegasus and Jabaroot are linked to the same entity and have received support from several countries. He has also raised questions about the relationships between certain individuals and security and political entities in France, Spain, and Algeria, suggesting a campaign targeting Morocco.
Other social media users, such as PhDounia, have highlighted what they see as a significant double standard in the French media's coverage of surveillance issues. They argue that the presence of a phone number in a record or technical evidence of Pegasus does not necessarily constitute judicial evidence or official attribution of responsibility to the Moroccan state.
LaRoyaliste, another social media user, has argued that the French media's coverage of the Pegasus issue goes beyond simply reporting on a new report, with accusations being repeated and focused on Morocco's General Directorate for Territorial Surveillance and its director-general, Abdellatif Hammouchi. The report, she notes, includes elements that were previously raised in 2021, along with an anonymous source and documents.
Aida Blehlou, a social media user, has questioned why certain accusations against Morocco receive widespread media coverage, while European practices in digital surveillance receive less attention. She points to programs such as Predator and Touscan, and cites a statement from former French Defense Minister Florence Parly regarding the lack of suspicion towards a specific country in a particular case.
Inessbelghiti, another social media user, has criticized the media for perpetuating what she calls a "trial by media," arguing that repeating accusations does not make them judicially proven. She emphasizes the need to distinguish between proven facts and narratives that are being circulated and expanded to target Morocco's security institutions.
Key points
- Amnesty International's report has reignited accusations against Morocco, sparking debate on social media about media bias and double standards in digital surveillance.
- Moroccan social media users have expressed frustration with the French media's coverage of the Pegasus issue, accusing them of having double standards.
- The controversy highlights the need for a nuanced discussion on digital surveillance and the importance of distinguishing between proven facts and unsubstantiated claims.
