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Surveillance

Surveillance
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Surveillance. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
The US Space Command Joint Operations Centre at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado. Photo: US Space Command via Reuters
United States

US has weapons deployed in orbit, Space Force says

US acknowledges offensive and defensive capabilities against potential ‘hostile adversary action’.

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Vietnam

South China Sea island build-up heightens Vietnam’s security concerns

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The Philippines

Why Philippines is betting on drones to boost maritime security

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United States

Privacy fears drive ‘patriotic Americans’ to destroy licence plate cameras

Grass-roots activists across the US are smashing Flock’s surveillance devices, saying the cameras can be used to infringe on privacy.

An American flag flies behind a Flock Safety camera mounted to a light pole in Burbank, California. Photo: Getty Images via AFP
Marine safety

China urged to protect underwater cables amid growing fears of ocean sabotage

Prominent policy journal says Beijing should pass a law to close the gap between traditional maritime law and modern grey-zone warfare.

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South Korea

South Korea almost shoots down US Marine drone after communication failure

Incidents like this could ‘deepen mistrust’ between the allies, experts say, urging a comprehensive review to avoid it recurring.

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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.

A security camera equipped with facial recognition AI stands in front of the JR Nippori Station in Tokyo’s Arakawa ward. Photo: Kyodo
The Philippines

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

Having dedicated satellites is ‘something that makes sense’ as it would give the military more control over its territory, experts say.

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South China Sea

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

Reliance on close-in aerial reconnaissance over contested waters comes as large American vessels face growing constraints.

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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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Vendors at the police and anti-terrorism tech expo in Beijing showcased biometric assessment, hi-tech cameras and the use of LLM-enhanced analysis. Photo: Handout
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

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

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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Chinese banks are increasingly using satellites to evaluate their clients’ terrestrial assets. Photo: Shutterstock
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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