Comcast, a large US internet provider, has added a feature called Wi-Fi Motion to its newer Xfinity routers. It detects movement in a home by measuring changes in the Wi-Fi signal between the router and connected devices, and sends an alert through the provider's app. No camera involved.
The catch is in the terms. Comcast says it may disclose information generated by the feature to third parties in connection with law enforcement investigations, legal disputes, or a court order or subpoena, without further notice to the customer.
Why this matters outside the US
We're not aware of UK providers offering the same thing yet, but Wi-Fi sensing isn't new and ISP-supplied routers get features pushed to them over time. The principle stands for any smart feature in an office or home office: it creates a record of activity, and someone other than you controls that record.
What to do
Read the privacy terms before enabling any monitoring or smart feature on business or home-office equipment. If a feature creates data about people, decide whether you're comfortable with who else can see it. For an office, prefer network equipment you control over the ISP's box.
Want a hand with this? Talk to us.
Source: TechCrunch: Comcast adds motion sensing to millions of its newer routers, with a privacy catch