Cybercrime in Finance: Western Sahara at Center of Espionage Row between Spain and Morocco

Tensions between Spain and Morocco have reached a boiling point after it emerged that Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s phone had been hacked using the Israeli spyware Pegasus. The development has sparked concerns about the role of Morocco in the hacking incident, with some suggesting that it could be linked to a long-standing dispute over Western Sahara.

The Hacking Incident

According to investigative journalist Jose Bautista, Morocco had previously used Pegasus to spy on more than 10,000 devices and phones, including those belonging to Spanish politicians, journalists, and human rights activists. The Moroccan government has denied any involvement in the hacking incident, but experts believe that the phone was compromised using a sophisticated cyberattack.

The Dispute over Western Sahara

The dispute over Western Sahara is a major point of contention between Spain and Morocco. Western Sahara is a disputed territory bordering southern Morocco, which has been controlled by Morocco since 1976. Separatists have been fighting for independence from Morocco for decades, with some countries recognizing the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) as a sovereign state.

• In December 2020, US President Donald Trump recognized Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, sparking widespread condemnation from international human rights groups and organizations.
• Spain had previously taken a neutral stance on the issue, but recently announced its support for a plan by Morocco to grant Western Sahara autonomy on domestic issues.

Implications of the Hacking Incident

Bautista believes that the hacking incident could have significant implications for the agreement between Morocco and Spain on Western Sahara’s future. “We still have to see if the government or any official source can confirm the origin of this spy faction with Pegasus, but it’s going to be problematic for sure,” he said.

Global Security Concerns

The Biden administration has not reversed Trump’s decision to recognize Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, despite calls from human rights groups to do so. The development has raised concerns about the use of cyber espionage in international relations and its potential impact on global security.

• The hacking incident highlights the need for stronger cybersecurity measures to protect against sophisticated cyberattacks.
• It also raises questions about the role of foreign powers in international conflicts, including their involvement in cyber warfare.