New Delhi: Your Wi-Fi router might be doing more than just connecting you to the internet — it could be tracking your identity, according to a groundbreaking study.
Researchers from the University of Chicago and MIT have uncovered how Wi-Fi signals, specifically through a technique called beamforming feedback information (BFI), can silently monitor users with alarming precision, raising serious privacy concerns.
The study, published in Nature Communications, explains that modern Wi-Fi routers use beamforming to enhance signal strength by directing waves toward devices. Researchers can analyse the unique BFI patterns generated by this process to identify individuals based on their device’s location, movement, and typing habits. Unlike traditional surveillance, this method requires no cameras or microphones, making it nearly undetectable.
“Wi-Fi signals are everywhere, and now they can act like invisible spies,” said lead researcher Dr Heather Zheng. The study demonstrated that BFI data could distinguish between users in a room with 93% accuracy, even through walls. Hackers or third parties could exploit this capability to track individuals in homes, offices, or public spaces.
Experts in India, where Wi-Fi usage is on the rise with over 700 million internet users, are raising concerns. Cybersecurity analyst Vikram Chauhan urged users to secure routers with strong passwords and disable beamforming if possible. The findings have sparked calls for stricter regulations on Wi-Fi technology to protect privacy.
As smart homes and IoT devices proliferate, this discovery underscores the hidden risks lurking in everyday technology, prompting users to rethink their digital safety.