Come WiFind Me: WiFi and other RF Survelliance

The talk looks at how radio signals from Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, RFID and NFC can be used to work out where people are and what they do. It starts with RF basics: lower frequencies travel farther, and NFC has a very short range, so implanted or passive tags pose little tracking risk. RFID readers in warehouses, stores, campuses and hospitals can track tagged items, and Wi-Fi positioning systems estimate device locations from signal timing and strength in retail and healthcare settings.

The middle section covers research and real cases. A study showed that radio signals passing through a wall could reveal movement and gait, and a dorm investigation filtered access point connection data to narrow down who was in a room. The speaker then examines claims that 5G and Wi-Fi cause health harm, comparing the advocacy material with FCC exposure limits. Many anti-EMF products, including shielding fabrics and pendants, are described as failing independent testing.

The closing advice is practical rather than alarmist. Access points carry location data, and phones that constantly broadcast saved networks leak identifying information. Turning off automatic Wi-Fi connections and Bluetooth when they are not needed helps, and MAC address randomisation reduces tracking but does not stop it entirely. For private messaging, the speaker recommends an end-to-end encrypted app over relying on shielding products.