Khaberni - A new study has demonstrated the feasibility of using ordinary Wi-Fi networks to identify individuals and track their movements without the need for specialized sensors or even the knowledge or consent of the person.
Researchers from the KASTEL Institute for Information Security and Dependability at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) tested the technique on 197 volunteers under controlled conditions, and according to the researchers, the system achieves an accuracy in identifying individuals close to 100%, regardless of their viewing angle or walking style.
The technology relies on analyzing what is known as beamforming feedback information, which are data routinely sent by connected devices to the router to help improve wireless communication.
The researchers believe the danger lies in that this information could be transferred unencrypted, theoretically allowing individuals within the network range to intercept and analyze it.
By tracking the wireless signals over time, the system can form an image of the people inside a certain area from different angles, in a way that somewhat resembles how a camera functions, but using radio waves instead of light.
Spread of Radio Waves
Thorsten Strufe, a professor at the KASTEL Institute, said that the monitoring of radio wave propagation allows creating images of the environment and the people in it, comparing it to a traditional camera in terms of the capability to recognize people, but different in the medium used.
No need for a phone or wearable device
One of the most concerning factors is that the targeted person does not need to carry a smartphone, watch, or any other Wi-Fi-enabled device for the technology to work.
Also, simply turning off their own device is not necessarily sufficient to prevent recognition, as the system can exploit other active Wi-Fi devices in the surrounding area.
This method differs from many previous wireless sensing technologies that relied on specialized equipment, such as LiDAR devices or detailed data about the wireless channel status. The researchers reaffirm that their system can operate using a standard, unmodified Wi-Fi device.
An “Invisible Eye” Raises Privacy Concerns
This development raises increasing privacy concerns, especially with the widespread deployment of routers in homes, offices, restaurants, cafes, and public places.
According to a report published by "Science Daily," quoting the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), the spread of these capabilities in everyday Wi-Fi networks might make it difficult for people to know when their wireless signals could be susceptible to analysis and tracking.
Felix Morsbach, a data privacy researcher at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), mentioned that traditional surveillance means, such as surveillance cameras and doorbells equipped with cameras connected to the internet, usually leave clear indicators of their presence, while wireless signals can operate invisibly and without drawing the attention of people inside the location, making it harder to detect their use.
Strufe warned that this feature raises serious privacy concerns, as the technology could recognize and track the movements of individuals without their knowledge, emphasizing that the use of Wi-Fi capabilities in this field must be accompanied by clear safeguards to protect individual rights and privacy.
The researchers called for the inclusion of protective measures within the IEEE 802.11bf standard, which is being developed to enhance sensing capabilities via Wi-Fi networks, considering aspects related to privacy and security.
