electronic surveillance

noun

1. surveillance or the gathering of information by surreptitious use of electronic devices, as in crime detection or espionage.

electronic surveillance

noun

1. the use of such electronic devices as television monitors, video cameras, etc, to prevent burglary, shop lifting, break-ins, etc
2. monitoring events, conversations, etc, at a distance by electronic means, esp by such covert means as wiretapping or bugging

Word History and Origins

Origin of electronic surveillance¹

First recorded in 1970–75