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Glite Dictionary
electronic surveillance

electronic surveillance

9 4.0
Using electronic devices to watch people and places
  • noun
  • /ɪˌlɛktrɒnɪk sərˈveɪləns/
translation icon : vigilancia electrónica
  • Echelon has existed since the beginning of the Cold War and, today, is an electronic surveillance network that can intercept most of the world's telephone calls, faxes, and e-mails, and shares this information with the five-member intelligence alliance.
  • electronic surveillance system

Well, wiretapping and electronic surveillance are very, very intrusive.

Examples

  • After many years of defending electronic surveillance from the Republican administration of President Bush, why is Mr. Port worried now?

    Blog text (30)

  • Five men wearing white surgical gloves, business suits and carrying camera and electronic surveillance equipment were arrested early today in the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee in Washington.

    Nixon (1995)

  • The van is really an electronic surveillance post jammed with the latest equipment.

    Fiction book (1998)

  • Until now, and under the Protect America Act, the executive branch could conduct electronic surveillance of U.S. persons without prior judicial approval.

    Blog text (17)

  • Scardaville admits there is no legal framework for using new electronic surveillance technology.

    Academic text (2003)

  • Well, wiretapping and electronic surveillance are very, very intrusive.

    Lex Fridman

  • It clarifies the Executive's authority to gather foreign intelligence by electronic surveillance in the United States.

    Blog text (11)

  • Security is also enhanced by a closed-circuit television system and by an electronic surveillance system that alerts Central Watch when a vault door is opened or closed.

    Blog text (11)

  • But, with electronic surveillance, we've lost the heart of the 4th amendment—freedom from unreasonable search.

    Blog text (28)

  • Many companies use electronic surveillance to ensure the safety of their premises.

Synonyms

surveillance
vselectronic surveillance
  • Specialized
526 6.2

Careful, continuous watching of people or places by the police

uses cameras microphones or tracking devices to monitor people or places directly

Antonyms

privacy
756 3.7

Freedom from being seen or watched by other people

How Invasive

continuous receiver watch
  • Specialized
8.5
electronic surveillance
9 4.0

Surface Forms

electronic surveillance singular
electronic surveillances plural

Morphology

electronic + surveillance

The phrase is fully compositional: 'surveillance' means ongoing observation and 'electronic' specifies the use of electronic devices, so a learner who knows both words can derive the meaning as monitoring using electronic equipment. This is a common noun-modifier pattern found across languages, making the expression readily understandable to B1 learners.

Etymology

Electronic surveillance comes from the clear image of electronic devices, like cameras and microphones, that are used for surveillance by 'watching' or 'listening' to people and places. That's why electronic surveillance means 'watching' or checking people or places with electronic equipment.