International scandal: spyware used to monitor politicians and journalists
An international group of journalists has published the results of a large-scale investigation into the use of the Israeli software Pegasus. According to the data obtained, the Moroccan authorities have used this program for several years to monitor undesirable individuals, including politicians, human rights activists, and journalists.
The list of targets for the spyware turned out to be extremely extensive. Surveillance was conducted not only within Morocco but also in many other countries around the world. Among the states where traces of this software's use were discovered are Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, Spain, as well as a number of countries in Africa and the Middle East, such as Egypt, Algeria, Rwanda, and Uganda.
The Pegasus program is capable of secretly infiltrating users' smartphones, gaining full access to correspondence, photos, call history, and even the device's microphone. Cybersecurity experts note that such tools were originally created to combat terrorism and organized crime; however, their use against civilians raises serious questions about the observance of human rights and the right to privacy.
The software's developer, the Israeli company NSO Group, previously stated that it sells its technology only to government agencies to ensure public safety. However, the new facts cast doubt on these claims and call for a thorough international investigation.
At the moment, human rights organizations are calling on the governments of the countries affected by the scandal to conduct an independent investigation. This case has become another reminder of how modern technologies can be used to control society and restrict freedom of speech on a global scale.