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Surveillance

Surveillance
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Surveillance. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Chinese researchers have unveiled an AI tool designed to take satellite surveillance from the realm of image recognition to that of autonomous reasoning. Photo: Shutterstock
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.

Japan

Japan plans island drone deployment to monitor Chinese naval activity

Banking & finance

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

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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.

The US Capitol is seen in Washington in February. Photo: Reuters
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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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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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.

The Bevis Marks synagogue in London. Photo: Bevis Marks
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.

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.

US Department of War and Anthropic logos. Illustration: Reuters
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.

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.

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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Australia banned social media for children under 16 earlier this month. Photo: dpa
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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Soldiers from the Armour Division operate the Cobra system during a demonstration in Camp O’Donnell, Capas, Tarlac on Thursday. Photo: Philippine Army
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.

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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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.

A camera sits on a police vehicle at the police headquarters on July 23, during a media briefing on the “SmartView” surveillance system. Photo: Sam Tsang
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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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.

Thermal imaging cameras are used to precisely identify the presence of rodents. Photo: Handout
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.

Hong Kong police

Hong Kong police could deploy facial recognition tech in CCTVs by end of year

Technology will enable officers to identify suspects and missing people in real time, and force will also install surveillance cameras on patrol cars.

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My Take

My Take | The future of surveillance tech is already here – in the US, not China

Chinese citizens enjoy public safety in exchange for compromised privacy. In the United States, people are facing an increasingly unchecked state.

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Signage for the company Palantir at the New York Stock Exchange during the company’s initial public offering on 30 September, 2020. Photo: EPA-EFE
United States

Coldplay’s jumbotron captures – what exactly? The internet has its theories

A US firm is investigating after a viral clip sparked speculation that its CEO and HR chief had been caught on camera while having an affair.

Chris Martin of Coldplay performs in Las Vegas in June. Photo: TNS
US-China relations

China-tied AI tools like DeepSeek face US federal ban over ‘threat’

Bipartisan bid would also prohibit American agencies from procuring or deploying such tech developed in Russia, Iran and North Korea.

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Indonesia

Indonesia is buying more weapons – but can it sustain such defence spending?

Analysts question whether Indonesia has the wherewithal to finance and maintain its defence systems.

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