Scientists in Germany have demonstrated a startling new form of surveillance: identifying people using nothing more than ordinary WiFi signals. By analyzing how radio waves bounce around a room, researchers can effectively “see” and recognize individuals — even if they are not carrying a device and even if their phone is turned off.

The reason the FCC is only allowing the sale of state approved routers in the US?

  • RegularJoe@lemmy.worldEnglish
    124·
    2 days ago

    “This technology turns every router into a potential means for surveillance,” warns Julian Todt from KASTEL. “If you regularly pass by a café that operates a WiFi network, you could be identified there without noticing it and be recognized later – for example by public authorities or companies.”

    Later…

    Inexpensive or older routers either don’t store history at all or keep it for a short time.

    Newer models can store more information for more extended periods.

    https://www.thetechwire.com/how-long-does-a-router-store-history/

    • morto@piefed.socialEnglish
      761·
      2 days ago

      We used to recommend people to run the newest stuff possible, but we came to a point that maybe it’s better for us to keep with older tech for a good while

      • mecen@lemmy.caEnglish
        8·
        1 day ago

        Or go to more civilized countries for vacation to get not backdoored hardware.

        • JustEnoughDucks@feddit.nlEnglish
          31·
          7 hours ago

          Do you think every country has its own router hardware manufacturer and commodity chip manufacturer? 😂

          The 2 giants that make 95% of consumer routers around the world and the few companies that design the chips for them are both in heavy surveillance states.

    • Lovable Sidekick@lemmy.worldEnglish
      31·
      2 days ago

      From what I’ve just read, the tech doesn’t seem ready to identify people yet. It can supposedly detect hand gestures, but facial recognition I seriously doubt. But that’s probably just a matter of improving the tech. See this article for more info.

      • Null User Object@lemmy.worldEnglish
        9·
        1 day ago

        From OPs linked article…

        In tests involving 197 participants, the researchers said the system identified individuals with nearly 100% accuracy. The recognition remained effective regardless of viewing angle or how the participants walked.

        • Lovable Sidekick@lemmy.worldEnglish
          3·
          20 hours ago

          I can totally believe when it tracks a person it can tell when the same person walks by again later. But matching people with their actual identities would require a database of wifi scan data that simply doesn’t exist yet.

      • obviouspornalt@fedinsfw.appEnglish
        61·
        1 day ago

        that’s a trivial problem to solve. combine this with a camera for facial recognition in a public space. then you’ve got wifi signature combined with the photo/video for facial recognition. then presumably you can use the WiFi signature anywhere else, even without the camera and be able to identify people.

        • Modern_medicine_isnt@lemmy.worldEnglish
          3·
          22 hours ago

          I was wondering about that. The article didn’t say anything about being able to identify the same person walking past a different router. And I can’t imagine the study didn’t try. So I assume it doesn’t work.

    • Lovable Sidekick@lemmy.worldEnglish
      61·
      1 day ago

      That’s connection history. CSI motion detection software storing information it collects would be entirely independent of that. How much it saves and for how long would depend on the size of the router’s memory.