The recent activation of a new X (formerly Twitter) feature that displays the country of origin of user accounts has exposed the existence of numerous profiles presenting themselves as Moroccan but are actually operated from abroad.
The platform’s announcement on Friday confirmed a phenomenon already tracked by intelligence services, according to experts.
Initial analyses conducted after the feature’s rollout revealed that several accounts hostile to Morocco were managed from various foreign locations, including Algeria, Canada, and several Arab countries—some of which publicly maintain close ties with Rabat.
Screenshots widely shared on X showed profiles claiming to be Moroccan nationals, despite being administered outside the country. This transparency feature, introduced by X product manager Nikita Bier, allows users to easily verify the geographical origin of accounts and their content. Previously, determining a profile’s location required specialized tools typically reserved for investigators. The new tool also highlighted sites purportedly based in Morocco whose administrators are located elsewhere.
Cybersecurity experts noted that the revelations are only partially surprising, as intelligence monitoring has long indicated that foreign entities seek to cause digital disruption in Morocco.
These foreign groups use fake accounts to manipulate engagement around targeted topics, aiming to make them trend and influence public opinion. Some networks reportedly migrated from Facebook to X after Meta strengthened its location verification measures.
Available data indicates that the identified accounts frequently disseminate content hostile to Morocco, with some allegedly coordinated from abroad, particularly from Algeria.
The feature also brought to light a significant presence of accounts administered from Canada, where several individuals wanted by Moroccan authorities reside. Some operate under their real identities, while others use anonymity to conduct activities ranging from managing funded political campaigns to obtaining residency permits in exchange for services rendered to foreign entities.
According to experts interviewed, these elements collectively illustrate a deliberate strategy of disruption aimed at destabilizing the Moroccan digital space. Authorities now possess an additional tool to identify these actors and counter the growing influence of coordinated foreign networks.
MK/ak/ac/fss/abj/APA