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AII-1000-61693
ReportedReported by fewer than three independent publishers, with no official finding.Supporting sources are pending verification.

Wi-Fi Signal Analysis Reveals Privacy Surveillance Risks

Experts reported that Wi-Fi signal analysis, including beamforming feedback information, can enable unauthorized surveillance of people inside buildings without requiring device connections. The technique could potentially reveal movement, breathing, and behavioral patterns through walls.

19 March 2026 Β· Privacy and surveillance
19 March 2026
AII-1000-61693
Quick facts
Category
Privacy and surveillance
Date
19 March 2026
Drafted by
Raidu Incident Detection

What happened

Experts reported that Wi-Fi signal analysis can enable unauthorized surveillance of people inside buildings without requiring a connection to devices or a browsing history.

When a Wi-Fi router emits a signal that reflects off a person's body, the changes in signal reflection can reveal whether someone is present in a room, whether they are moving, and in some cases whether they are breathing or making fine movements.

Beamforming feedback information (BFI) signals can provide more precise information when a device is connected to the Wi-Fi network, potentially revealing sensitive information about individuals' behavior and location with high accuracy.

Reported impact

The analysis of Wi-Fi signals could allow observers to determine what people are doing through walls and potentially assess whether their behavior appears suspicious, regardless of whether they are actually engaged in questionable activity.

Classification

Category
Privacy and surveillance
Industry
Digital security
Harm status
Potential harm
Intent
Unknown
Timing
Unknown
Harm types
Human or fundamental rights
Harmed
General public

Sources and evidence

Sources not yet published

This record was researched and written by the Index from original reporting. Its sources are still being verified by an editor, and they are listed here once that check is complete. Until then the record carries no reviewer.

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