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Surveillance

Surveillance
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Surveillance. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
A security camera equipped with facial recognition AI stands in front of the JR Nippori Station in Tokyo’s Arakawa ward. Photo: Kyodo
Japan

Privacy fears as Japan uses AI facial recognition cameras to find missing people

Police stations in Tokyo’s Arakawa ward receive about 100 reports each year of missing children and elderly people with dementia.

The Philippines

Why the Philippines is turning to space for a military edge in South China Sea

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South China Sea

US shifts South China Sea reconnaissance towards drones, Philippines: think tank

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The Philippines

Philippines taps ‘smarter, cheaper’ Australian drones to deter China

The underwater drones could enhance Manila’s capability to record Beijing’s intrusion in its waters, analysts say.

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Australia has provided the Philippine coastguard with additional aerial and undersea drones to support its modernisation. Photo: Facebook/Australia in the Philippines
Artificial intelligence

New Chinese police tech uses AI to scan suspects’ health and mental states

International expo in Beijing showcases cameras that measure vital signs, and even core motivation, of suspects, equipment firms say.

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Science

China touts AI ‘brain’ to speed up satellite targeting

Researchers say their AI ‘brain plus tool army’ cuts analysis time and overcomes obstacles without human intervention.

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Japan

Japan plans island drone deployment to monitor Chinese naval activity

Tokyo hopes deploying US-built SeaGuardians on Iwo Jima and Chichijima will eliminate a Pacific surveillance ‘blind spot’.

Japan plans to deploy MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones on Chichijima and Iwo Jima. Photo: Handout
Banking & finance

Default in our stars: China banks use satellites to track assets, cut loan risks

Analysts say orbital monitoring of sites, property and other assets provides vital data on borrowers.

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United States

US Congress extends controversial surveillance law by 10 days

The short-term fix comes after a Trump-backed bid to secure a longer-term extension failed in the House.

Technology

Opinion | In Asia-Pacific, the real maritime contest is over satellite surveillance

States’ ability to exercise territorial rights is increasingly mediated by their access to satellite data and analytics, but the tech is dominated by a powerful few.

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A J-15 fighter jet from the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong making an unusual approach to a Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force P-3C patrol aircraft conducting surveillance above the Pacific Ocean on June 8, 2025. Photo: Handout /Japan’s Ministry of Defence / AFP
Iran

With hacking of street cameras before and during war, who’s watching who?

For years, cybersecurity experts have warned that street cameras could be hacked. Now, AI advances help governments sift through footage.

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With surveillance cameras embraced by many nations, governments are increasingly aware of the risks of being hacked. Photo: Shutterstock
Britain

2 men charged with spying for Iran on UK Jewish targets

The men are accused of spying on targets given to them by Iran, including the Israeli embassy and Britain’s oldest synagogue.

United States

US rapper Afroman celebrates after court protects his right to mock police

The rapper had used home security footage in his music videos to take aim at their raid of his house in 2022.

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United States

Anthropic sues Trump administration as row over AI use by military deepens

The Pentagon blacklisted the start-up after it refused to let its technology be used for fully autonomous weapons and domestic surveillance.

The Pentagon on Thursday slapped a formal supply-chain risk designation on Anthropic, limiting use of a technology that a source said was being used for military operations in Iran. Photo illustration: TNS
Hong Kong police

Editorial | Smooth roll-out of surveillance tech will help Hong Kong combat crime

While cameras and facial recognition technology must be deployed carefully, their use can ultimately help ensure public safety.

A CCTV camera in Mong Kok on April 13, 2025. In the first phase of the SmartView programme, completed in 2025, the police installed 5,000 cameras and integrated another 6,000 from other departments and organisations. Photo: Eugene Lee
United States

US Treasury to stop using Anthropic AI tech, including Claude platform

Anthropic had previously turned down the Pentagon’s demand that it agree to unconditional military use of its Claude models.

United States

Anthropic vows to sue US after Trump tells government to stop using firm’s AI

The start-up has refused to let its models be used for the mass surveillance of US citizens or deployed in fully autonomous weapons systems.

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United States

Palantir defends surveillance tech as US government contracts boost sales

CEO says Palantir is supporting some ‘unusual operations’, but has safeguards to prevent government overreach.

Demonstrators taking part in an ‘ICE Out’ protest in Minneapolis on January 30. Photo: Reuters
Australia

Why Southeast Asia’s move to protect children online may fuel state surveillance

Measures to rein in tech companies risk opening the door to tighter state oversight of online platforms, analysts say.

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The Philippines

Why the Philippine Army is turning to locally built remote weapons systems

The roll-out of the new Cobra weapon system is part of Manila’s push to build a self-reliant defence industry.

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India

India scraps mandatory cybersecurity app on new phones after backlash

The Indian government confidentially ordered companies like Apple, Samsung, and Xiaomi to install the Sanchar Saathi app on their new phones.

The Sanchar Saathi app logo is seen on a phone. Photo: Reuters
Nordic nations

Concern in Norway after test shows Chinese-made buses can be disabled remotely

Transport operator Ruter says the manufacturer has access to the vehicles’ control systems, which could in theory be used to turn them off.

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A Yutong bus, owned by public transport operator Ruter, is seen during a test of the vehicle’s communication system in Sandvika, Norway, in August. Photo: Ruter AS via AP
Crime in Hong Kong

Editorial | Police CCTV coverage must be expanded with care, ensuring data security

While police figures on the effectiveness of camera surveillance speak for themselves, it must be rolled out with care amid privacy concerns.

Britain

China poses ‘daily threat’ to UK security, MI5 chief says

Ken McCallum confirmed MI5 thwarted a China threat last week, but expressed frustration over a collapsed prosecution of two alleged spies.

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China’s Communist Party

AI-enhanced bodycams among advanced police gear China shows developing nations

At 3-day forum, officials from nations such as Belarus, DRC, Nicaragua and Ethiopia meet China’s minister for public security.

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Chinese organisers invited more than 800 guests and law enforcement officials from 176 countries and regions and 14 international organisations to a forum where China displayed advanced policing and security equipment. Photo: CCTV
Hong Kong society

Editorial | Privacy is paramount as Hong Kong deploys drones to enforce traffic laws

Efforts to improve road safety at accident hotspots are welcome, but public fears about being spied on should not be dismissed.

Police use drones to demonstrate traffic law enforcement at the Lan Nai Wan open-air car park on Shek O Road on September 10. Photo: Karma Lo
Hong Kong environmental issues

Hong Kong rat catchers get AI boost as live trappings of rodents surge 40%

Pest control teams trapped 89,600 rats in 2024, with authorities introducing AI-equipped thermal imaging cameras to track rodent activity.

Music

What the Coldplay ‘kiss cam’ scandal says about privacy for us all today

‘There’s no such thing as the private life any more,’ says one expert as the fallout from Coldplay concert saga continues.

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