WIRELESS WORLD: A new era of invasive surveillance
By willowt // 2025-02-07
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  • A study by the University of Porto reveals the potential for Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface (RIS) technology to manipulate Wi-Fi signals, allowing for accurate detection and rendering of human activity with over 90% accuracy.
  • RIS panels can be integrated into various indoor and outdoor surfaces, enabling smart city surveillance and tracking of pedestrian and vehicle movement, potentially without individuals' knowledge or consent.
  • The technology can detect hand gestures, monitor vital signs like breathing, and operate through obstacles, significantly advancing Human Activity Recognition (HAR) in 6G communications.
  • Privacy advocates warn of the dangers of mass surveillance, data security issues and the need for strict regulation to protect personal privacy in the digital age.
  • Advocates emphasize the necessity for a national conversation on the ethical implications of RIS technology, advocating for robust oversight and public awareness campaigns to safeguard privacy rights.
In a world increasingly interconnected by technology, a new study reveals a troubling development: the potential for Wi-Fi and cell towers to be used for surveillance without the knowledge or consent of individuals. This technology, which leverages ambient wireless radiation, could transform the way we think about privacy and security, raising significant ethical and legal questions.

The technology behind the threat

The study, conducted by engineering faculty at the University of Porto in Portugal, was published on the Cornell University open-access research website, arXiv, on January 24, 2025. The researchers designed a system that uses a Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface (RIS) to manipulate and steer Wi-Fi signals, allowing for the detection and rendering of visual images of human activity with over 90% accuracy. Fariha Husain, manager of Children’s Health Defense’s (CHD) Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR) & Wireless Program, explained the technology’s capabilities: "RIS panels can be strategically placed to optimize wireless signal reflection and steering. Indoors, they can be mounted on walls, ceilings, or furniture. Outdoors, they can be installed on buildings, lampposts and advertising billboards. Additionally, RIS panels will enable smart city surveillance by tracking pedestrian and vehicle movement." The implications of this technology are profound. According to the study, the system can detect hand gestures and monitor vital signs like breathing, even when individuals are behind obstacles or uncooperative. This capability, the researchers claim, advances the state of the art in Human Activity Recognition (HAR) within the context of sixth-generation (6G) communications.

Ethical and privacy concerns

While proponents argue that RIS technology could have beneficial applications in healthcare and automation, privacy advocates are sounding the alarm. W. Scott McCollough, chief litigator for CHD’s EMR & Wireless cases, emphasized the dangerous implications for mass surveillance: "Future 6G networks will have RIS functionality built in, and it would not surprise me if they don’t implement RIS in future 5G updates. Several industry and government reports on 6G straight-up say they want to use these capabilities for surveillance." McCollough’s concerns are not unfounded. The technology behind the study is similar to Origin AI, a commercial Wi-Fi sensing technology developed by Ray Liu, a former Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) contractor. Origin AI can localize motion with over 90% accuracy and capture breathing patterns, making it a powerful tool for home security and automation. However, it also raises significant privacy concerns. Husain noted, "RIS panels can be integrated into objects and environments without the knowledge or consent of individuals, making it nearly impossible to opt out of this form of surveillance." She added, "This technology poses dangerous implications for mass surveillance, personal privacy and data security."

Historical context and contemporary relevance

The development of RIS technology is part of a broader trend in the evolution of surveillance. Peter Krapp, a Professor of Film & Media Studies at the University of California, Irvine, has studied the pervasive nature of surveillance in the digital age. According to Krapp, the U.S. has the largest number of surveillance cameras per person in the world, and this surveillance is not limited to video cameras. Mobile phones, GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and various apps all contribute to a comprehensive system of tracking. Krapp explained, "Databases can correlate location data from smartphones, private cameras, license plate readers and facial recognition technology. Law enforcement agencies can track where you are and where you’ve been, often without a warrant. Private data brokers also collect and sell this data, creating a largely unregulated market for personal information." The historical context of surveillance in the U.S. is crucial to understanding the contemporary relevance of RIS technology. From the early days of wiretapping to the modern era of digital tracking, the balance between security and privacy has been a contentious issue. The post-Roe v. Wade legal environment has added new layers of complexity, with concerns about how tracking data could be used in the context of reproductive rights and other sensitive issues.

Conclusion: A call for regulation

As RIS technology advances and becomes more integrated into 6G networks, the need for robust regulation and ethical guidelines is more critical than ever. Husain and McCollough advocate for stricter oversight and public awareness campaigns to ensure that this technology does not undermine personal privacy and data security. McCollough concluded, "We need to have a national conversation about the ethical implications of RIS technology. It’s not just about the technical feasibility; it’s about the moral and legal frameworks that will govern its use." In a world where technology can turn everyday objects into surveillance tools, the fight for privacy is far from over. As this technology continues to evolve, it is essential that lawmakers, technologists and citizens work together to protect the fundamental right to privacy in the digital age. Sources include: ChildrensHealthDefense.org CornellUniversityarXiv.org TheConversation.com
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