E-Blagh, the Moroccan DGSN's great success story

The command room of the Moroccan Directorate General of National Security (DGSN) has efficiently processed more than 7,000 reports of fraud, threats, extortion, violence, incitement and apology of terrorist acts since June. 

Thanks to the operation of the electronic platform launched by the DGSN, E-Blagh, Moroccan citizens have reported the publication of illegal content on the internet on 7,083 occasions. According to the agency headed by Abdellatif Hammouchi, 6,788 complaints related to online crimes have been processed since June. 

Of all the reports received, the majority (60%) concerned online scams and fraud, followed by sexual blackmail (20%), defamation and insults (10%), acts of violence or threats (5%) and content promoting the commission of crimes (5%). 

The platform's technical team conducted assessments and diagnostics to identify cases of drug trafficking, sexual exploitation and other crimes, before forwarding the information to the judicial police. This civic initiative, which will continue over time, has been a success. 

The actions carried out enabled the Public Prosecutor's Office to be informed in order to begin judicial investigations, according to its instructions. Under the supervision of the relevant prosecutors' offices, the investigations identified 82 persons suspected of committing crimes or reprehensible offences and 23 persons were brought before the courts, and search warrants were issued throughout the country for nine more suspects. 

The authorities continue to investigate other persons suspected of involvement in crimes. The E-Blagh digital platform has registered 295 reports of advocacy and incitement to terrorism and radicalisation during this period. 85 persons were linked to online activities supporting Daesh and investigations were opened. There was also a high level of trust and positive interaction with the platform. 

During the first three months, 4,117 reports with full identity were received, which is equivalent to more than two thirds of all reports received. In addition, 564 reports were received from foreign countries, including European, Asian, Middle Eastern and North African countries. 

The platform was announced during the fifth edition of the DGSN Open Days (OSD), on the occasion of the 68th anniversary of the creation of the institution. Developed by the DGST and DGSN, the platform aims to involve Moroccans in the fight against digital crime. 

This is what Laila Zouine, senior commissioner and head of the criminal evidence and photography service of the Central Directorate of the Judicial Police at the DGSN, said: ‘This platform allows users to report illegal online content 24/7, whether they are victims or simply aware.

Reporting is always an action that citizens are afraid of due to the fear that their data may be made public. Faced with this suspicion, the DGSN in accordance with the Moroccan law on data protection, the priority is to maintain the privacy of the whistleblower's data. Among the options provided by the platform, fully anonymous reporting is allowed. 

The DGSN believes that this can help to improve the feeling of security among the population. The objective is very clear: to strengthen the relationship between public security and citizens in order to join forces in the fight against digital crime.