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

Example Sentences

Together they worked in the San Francisco office of investigator Hal Lipset, a master of electronic surveillance, before getting married in 1977 and opening their own investigative agency, Palladino & Sutherland.

From Washington Post

“This aircraft can be used for electronic surveillance,” he said.

From The Daily Beast