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Moroccan authorities have launched a series of arrests and investigations targeting several TikTok influencers over alleged public indecency, defamation, drug promotion, prostitution-related offenses, and suspected human trafficking, according to complaints filed with the public prosecution.
These moves followed complaints filed with the public prosecution accusing several content creators of committing violations that include “public indecency,” defamation, promoting drugs and prostitution, and suspected human trafficking.
Judicial proceedings are continuing against well-known figures on the platform, including the influencer known as “Molinex,” Elias al-Malki, Adam Benchkron and his mother, in addition to an influencer who became known in the media for the “most expensive divorce” case.
The mother of Adam Benchkron faces a set of serious charges, including human trafficking, public indecency, incitement to immorality, cross-border sexual exploitation, and publishing content authorities consider harmful to moral values.
The public prosecutor on Thursday also ordered the detention of Elias al-Malki pending investigation on charges that include drug possession, insults, slander, and incitement to discrimination and hatred.
In the same context, the influencer mentioned above has been referred to trial on a defamation charge based on a complaint filed by her former husband. A hearing is scheduled for Friday evening.
The sudden move has ignited a wide wave of debate across social media, with some viewing it as the beginning of putting an end to the “digital chaos” that has swept platforms in recent years, while others expressed anger, calling it “an attack on freedom of expression.”
The arrest campaign carried out by the Moroccan judiciary followed a number of complaints filed by rights activists and civil society actors in the country, further complicating the legal situation of those being prosecuted.
Lawyer and human rights activist Abdelrahman al-Baqouri wrote that as a conservative Moroccan citizen, he will begin filing complaints with the public prosecutor against anyone who publishes offensive content or practices digital begging, supported by evidence proving those violations.
The government is finalizing a law to regulate social media platforms in Morocco, aimed at controlling behavior in the digital space, protecting individuals’ rights, and ensuring respect for human dignity in this fast-moving digital era.
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