Morocco’s social security agency has confirmed a major cyberattack that led to the theft and leak of large volumes of sensitive personal data.
The information was shared publicly via the messaging platform Telegram.
The agency, which provides pensions and insurance services to millions of private sector employees from factory workers to executives revealed on Wednesday that hackers managed to bypass its security defenses. Government spokesperson Mustapha Baitas suggested the attack was politically motivated, linking it to Morocco’s growing international support in the ongoing Western Sahara conflict. He claimed such support “disturbs the enemies of our country,” prompting them to launch such “hostile actions.”
This cyberattack comes amidst renewed geopolitical tension. Earlier this week, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed support for Morocco’s autonomy plan for the disputed Western Sahara region, a stance criticized by Algeria. The position follows the 2020 U.S. shift under President Trump, which the Biden administration has neither fully endorsed nor reversed.
The social security agency has not officially identified the perpetrators but claimed that many of the leaked documents were “misleading, inaccurate, or incomplete.” Hackers responsible for the breach claimed the attack was retaliation for alleged Moroccan harassment of Algeria on social media. They warned of further attacks if Algerian targets were hit.
Moroccan media have largely blamed Algerian hackers, framing the incident as part of an ongoing cyberwar between the two nations. Diplomatic relations between Morocco and Algeria have deteriorated sharply, with both sides withdrawing ambassadors and closing airspace. One of the core disputes is Algeria’s support for the Polisario Front, a group advocating for independence in Western Sahara.
The leaked materials include potentially sensitive data, such as executive salaries and financial details tied to state-owned firms, political organizations, royal family-linked entities, and even the Israeli liaison office in Rabat. If verified, the salary information could highlight significant economic disparities within the country.
In response, Morocco’s National Commission for the Protection of Personal Data has stated its readiness to investigate any complaints from individuals affected by the leak.
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