Comcast is adding motion detection to millions of routers, and I’m worried it’s a privacy nightmare

Modem router on a table in a living room. A woman using a laptop while sitting on the sofa is in background. Selective focus.

Worried about intruders sneaking around inside your house when you’re out of town? You could get one of the best home security cameras, but what if your existing router could do some of the heavy lifting? That’s what Comcast has just started offering its customers, but the move has been met with considerable controversy.

Dubbed WiFi Motion, the new feature is coming to Comcast-owned Xfinity’s internet services. Once you opt in, WiFi Motion detects changes in the Wi-Fi signals emitted by the company’s routers and other smart home devices to detect the presence of people in your home. While there’s no video surveillance involved, it can be used as a basic way to sense people who should not be inside your house. When that happens, you’ll receive a notification in the Xfinity app.