this post was submitted on 24 May 2026
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Ordinary WiFi can now identify people with near perfect accuracy (www.sciencedaily.com)
submitted 15 hours ago by Zephorah@discuss.online to c/technology@lemmy.world
114 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

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

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[–] RegularJoe@lemmy.world 100 points 15 hours ago (3 children)

"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/

[–] LovableSidekick@lemmy.world 5 points 7 hours ago* (last edited 7 hours 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.

[–] morto@piefed.social 57 points 12 hours ago (1 children)

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.ca 1 points 4 hours ago

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

[–] LovableSidekick@lemmy.world 27 points 12 hours ago* (last edited 12 hours ago) (2 children)

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.

[–] nulluser@lemmy.world 4 points 3 hours ago* (last edited 3 hours 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.

[–] obviouspornalt@fedinsfw.app 3 points 10 hours 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.