● Covered by 1 source · 1 reportHigh impact1 negative
Researchers Demonstrate WiFi Networks Can Identify Individuals with Near-Perfect Accuracy
Key points
- WiFi signals can create radio-based images of people.
- System identified 197 participants with near 100% accuracy.
- Identification works without cameras or personal connected devices.
- This turns every router into a potential surveillance tool.
WiFi Signals Used for Identification
Researchers at Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT) have shown that standard WiFi networks can identify and track people using existing signals. This method does not require cameras, specialized equipment, or for the individual to carry a connected device. The technique analyzes radio waves exchanged between WiFi devices and routers to generate radio-based images of individuals.
High Accuracy in Testing
In tests involving 197 participants, the system achieved nearly 100% accuracy in identifying individuals. This accuracy was maintained even when subjects were viewed from different angles or walked in varied ways. Professor Thorsten Strufe from KASTEL, KIT's Institute of Information Security and Dependability, explained that the process is similar to a camera, but uses radio waves instead of light waves for recognition.
Independence from Personal Devices
A key aspect of this technology is its independence from personal devices. Individuals do not need to have a phone, smartwatch, or any other WiFi-enabled device on them to be identified. Julian Todt from KASTEL noted that even if a person's own devices are turned off, the system can still function as long as other WiFi devices in the vicinity are active.
Significant Privacy Implications
The researchers highlight a potentially serious privacy risk due to the ubiquity of WiFi networks in homes, offices, and public spaces. This technology could transform every WiFi router into a surveillance tool. Julian Todt warned that individuals could be identified and tracked without their knowledge, for example, by public authorities or companies, simply by passing through areas with WiFi networks.
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Reporting from
Researchers at Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT) have demonstrated that ordinary WiFi networks can identify individuals with nearly 100% accuracy using unencrypted signals, even without cameras or connected devices on the person. This development reveals a significant privacy risk, as widespread WiFi infrastructure could become a tool for surveillance by various entities.