BBC investigation : Mass surveillance technology sold to Morocco and other middle eastern countries

BAE systems, a wholly owned subsidiary of BAE Systems Plc. which is responsible for the design, development and production of combat vehicles, ammunition, artillery systems, naval guns and missile launchers, has secretly sold mass surveillance technology to middle eastern countries including Morocco. The information was revealed through a year-long investigation conducted by the BBC and a Danish newspaper.

The same source indicates that these «powerful tools could be used to spy on millions of people and thwart any signs of dissent» and also be used against the Uk and its allies.

According to the BBC’s investigation «the equipment has been sold in recent years to the governments of Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Qatar, Algeria and Morocco», the Guardian reports.

Speaking to an anonymous individual who claims that it used to work for the firm, the technology sold to these countries can enable them «to intercept any internet traffic» indicating that it «can be used to pinpoint people’s location based on the data emitted by their mobile phones». The sales, as pointed out by the BBC were made in 2011.