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UAE Supplies Pegasus to Morocco; Spy Claims Dismissed

7/16/2026

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Summary

Story summary

A whistleblower says the United Arab Emirates gifted Pegasus spyware to Morocco, like a shared Netflix subscription.
A Moroccan intelligence officer said Morocco obtained Pegasus via a UAE intermediary and used it to spy on journalists and officials.
The spyware was shown in 2017 at a Rabat villa owned by FSSYS Maroc, the firm's Moroccan branch.
Morocco denied the claims, filed suits in France and Germany, and judges dismissed them.

History

Historical Context

Israel classified Pegasus as a military export, requiring Ministry of Defense licences for each sale. After its 2016 public reveal, NSO Group had sold the tool to more than 30 governments by 2019, including the United Arab Emirates, which now is accused of passing the capability to Morocco—a claim reminiscent of 2019 Moroccan Pegasus infections and the 2021 Pegasus Project exposing widespread state misuse.

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Story summary

A whistleblower says the United Arab Emirates gifted Pegasus spyware to Morocco, like a shared Netflix subscription.
A Moroccan intelligence officer said Morocco obtained Pegasus via a UAE intermediary and used it to spy on journalists and officials.
The spyware was shown in 2017 at a Rabat villa owned by FSSYS Maroc, the firm's Moroccan branch.
Morocco denied the claims, filed suits in France and Germany, and judges dismissed them.

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