These popular Wi-Fi routers can detect motion — inside your home

The useful part

Your Wi-Fi router has one job — to deliver wireless internet throughout your house for all of your smart devices, and that's about it, right? Some Xfinity routers come with an extremely intrusive upgrade that turns your Wi-Fi into a motion-detecting spy network within the privacy of your own home, and police can access the data. Believe it or not, Xfinity is actually offering this "feature" as a selling point on its website.

How it works

• Any activity that happens on WiFi Motion's watch could be brought up and used against you in a court of law.
• Xfinity stresses that the system doesn't use cameras or microphones to record visual or audio data.
• Comcast may be required to disclose information generated by WiFi Motion in response to a valid subpoena, court order, search warrant...
• It just weaponizes your Wi-Fi to watch your every move.
• However, that doesn't mean you don't have anything to worry about.

What to take from it

On the bright side, Xfinity's parent company, Comcast, claims not to track or monitor WiFi Motion activity or push notifications. Don't commit a crime within WiFi Motion's walls Although Xfinity claims it can't see captured motion or push notifications, it apparently knows enough about your whereabouts to comply with law enforcement.