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Drones, invasive software, data mining tools and other forms of digital surveillance are increasingly critical features of modern warfare.
Reports are continuing to emerge nearly every day describing the usage of a vast range of digital surveillance platforms across and within major conflict zones around the world.
But here in Australia, they are used – and constantly – for far more than just CCTV.
What differs between how they are being used against Australia versus within Australia by our own authorities comes down to the perceived threat at hand.
What is surveillance tech, and is it legal?
From a defensive standpoint, surveillance tech is basically physical infrastructure or software information systems that can collect data or physically survey an area or activity.
Its main purpose is to track and monitor specific human activity.
The actual technological infrastructure varies, but it can range from everyday examples such as CCTV networks and facial recognition systems to metadata retention schemes and advanced cyber intelligence platforms.
In an Australian context, these are deployed as methods of ensuring national security is maintained against malicious actors, yet they raise substantial concerns surrounding civil liberties and privacy.
Security agencies like the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation and the Australian Federal Police AFP use digital surveillance to combat and detect a range of threats, including terrorism, foreign interference and organised crime, while state governments are increasingly using facial recognition technology in everyday policing.
The legality of surveillance tech is covered broadly under a range of federal laws, including the Surveillance Devices Act 2004, the Privacy Act 1988, and the Surveillance Legislation Amendment (Identify and Disrupt) Act 2021.
How has it been used against Australia?
Australia has been a target of multiple foreign cyber espionage campaigns that have attempted to infiltrate government systems, critical infrastructure and defence networks.
As recently as November last year, members of Parliament in Canberra were told to turn off their phones, laptops and internet services during a visit from Chinese officials.
“Within the identified areas, internet-connected devices, including phones, tablets and laptops should be powered down,” an email from the Department of Parliamentary Services read.
“Where devices must be used, please ensure phones and iPads are updated with the latest software version and placed in lockdown mode, and laptops should have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth switched off.”
Shadow minister for cyber security Claire Chandler said in November that this is the “incredibly concerning” nature of contemporary surveillance threats.
“It’s fair to expect all parliamentarians to be vigilant about their own cyber security, but the measures in place today go far beyond what’s usually expected for a visiting delegation.
“It’s a stark reminder of the reality of the cyber threats we’re facing.”
The government has employed direct measures to combat threats like these through removing Chinese-made cameras from government buildings, as well as investing more in Australian-based cyber security companies.
How has surveillance tech been used by Australia?
Though not always used for nefarious reasons, surveillance does have value for keeping communities safe and ensuring real threats are dealt with.
Australian security agencies have legislative authority to disrupt data networks and online activity, analyse an individuals’ day-to-day activities, and access encrypted communications in attempts to spot criminal activity.
Also used in regions and areas close to our shores, autonomous and crewed security of the Indo-Pacific and South China Sea continues to be a keen point of surveillance for the government.
Unconfirmed reports claim that surveillance technology, including drones, was used by police at the chaotic Isaac Herzog protests in Sydney last week. What they were used for isn’t known.
Where the main concern regarding surveillance tech lies is the domestic privacy concerns it raises for everyday citizens.
CCTV, facial recognition scans, global positioning system tracking, and personal biometric data being used by digital platforms are just a few of the everyday instances where surveillance technology is deployed.
For instance, major retailers such as Kmart and Bunnings have come under fire for their use of biometric data surveillance used on shoppers in recent years.
The former acting high commissioner for human rights said in 2022 that “digital technologies bring enormous benefits to societies” but warned that: “Pervasive surveillance comes at a high cost, undermining rights and choking the development of vibrant, pluralistic democracies.”
In a report released by the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, 83 per cent of individuals said they want the government to do more to protect the privacy of their personal data and were increasingly reluctant to support online surveillance mechanisms.
Final thoughts
The idea of being unknowingly perceived by a second or third party is definitely something that I can see the concern in.
Surveillance is a scary word, I get it!
However, the world is shifting and the nature of threats facing Australia are changing dramatically as digital transformation continues to take charge in all aspects of society.
This is one of those topics where my opinion is truly split.
I think we need surveillance to address adverse threats that pose a risk to the security of our nation, but I also think that everyday citizens should be able to go down to the shops and not worry about their face being scanned or their shopping data being used without their knowledge
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