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Surveillance
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Surveillance. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Australia banned social media for children under 16 earlier this month. Photo: dpa
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

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India

India scraps mandatory cybersecurity app on new phones after backlash

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.

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.

A fan holds up a sign reading “We’re not here cheating on our significant others” during a kiss cam segment of the baseball game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Los Angeles Angels in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Photo: Getty Images
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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Hong Kong police will install surveillance cameras on 60 patrol cars that will be able to identify vehicles and licence plates. Photo: Sam Tsang
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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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.

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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A DeepSeek AI sign is seen at a building where the Chinese start-up’s office is located in Beijing on February 19, 2025. Photo: Reuters
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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Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto is accelerating the country’s military modernisation programme. Photo: Indonesia’s presidential palace/AFP
Law

Legal Tales | Some legal ramifications surrounding use of AI in police surveillance

Advantages of certain systems can readily be seen but transparent policies should be formulated for their usage.

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Japan

Is Japan’s increased surveillance of remote islands a link to China activity?

Deployments may be to islands already with radar capabilities, but experts say the plan is not a response to recent Chinese maritime presence.

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The Philippines

Philippines aims to counter China’s drone swarm capacity, learn from Ukraine war

Its military says drones armed with explosives or used for surveillance have become a focus of joint exercises with allies such as the US.

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A US navy drone positioned beside a Philippine C130 plane at the airport of Zamboanga, southern Philippines on Tuesday. Photo: AP
Artificial intelligence

China’s next-gen surveillance tools get AI boost to target Telegram or VPN users

Annual policing tech expo offers glimpse of law enforcement future as Beijing ramps up domestic security drive amid ‘lone wolf’ attacks.

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Science

China eyes 300-satellite constellation for ultra-high-resolution surveillance

Chutian project aims to establish 300-satellite network offering continuous global coverage with a range of imaging types.

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US-China relations

‘Brazen’ suspected China surveillance sites in Cuba trigger US House hearing

Lawmakers warn that Beijing may be expanding intelligence footprint near American soil and urge Trump administration to take firmer stance.

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The town of Bejucal in northwestern Cuba is the site of a suspected intelligence operation targeting the US. Photo: Centre for Strategic and International Studies
The Philippines

Philippines-US anti-drone drill signals rising threat of unmanned weapons

The drill involving two counter-drone systems comes after China’s reported use of drones in the disputed South China Sea in recent months.

A US air defence system fires at a drone during a joint drill with the Philippines in San Antonio, Zambales province, in April. Photo: AP
Hong Kong police

Hong Kong police consider unleashing robot dogs for law enforcement

Other initiatives include the use of drones and linking surveillance camera systems with other government departments.

Australia

Australia boosts Philippines’ South China Sea defence with 20 drones

Australia’s gift comes days after a near-collision between Philippine and Chinese coastguard vessels in the South China Sea.

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China technology

Editorial | Facial recognition in China calls for protective measures

Hong Kong needs to bear this in mind as mainland China brings in new rules to ease public concerns.

Companies that use face recognition technology will find themselve under new regulations in China soon. Photo: Shutterstock
Japan

The rattle of Okinawa: Chinese drones probe Japan’s defences

Japan’s air force scrambled jets to shadow the drones, which analysts believe were probing Tokyo’s military readiness and assertiveness.

A Chinese military drone is spotted near the Japanese islands of Okinawa and Miyakojima earlier this year. Photo: Japan’s Defence Ministry
Artificial intelligence

Opinion | DeepSeek raises fear of a cold war powered by accessible AI

The US must abandon its evidently futile tech sanctions on China and instead work with it to set clear rules governing AI use.

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US-China tech war

Chinese surveillance tech firm Dahua exits projects in Xinjiang

The company was added to a US trade blacklist in 2019 on claims it aided in human rights abuses in Xinjiang.

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