5 ms·

Is it just me, or does this seems like a really, really bad idea? The privacy implications here seem… disturbing.

whatshisface 5y ago
Technology can't be stopped by individual engineers refusing to invent it, it can only be stopped by everyone agreeing on the ways it shouldn't be used. So it was for arson (fire), homicide (every weapon since the rock), and obscene material (all communications technology), and so must it be for privacy and the various techniques of monitoring us.
- pjbeam 5y ago
  Even then it isn't stopped; once something exists someone will eventually use it, and likely in way not intended by the designer.
- transpute 5y ago
  Since 802.11bf makes most existing walls transparent, it should lead to innovation in wall construction. It may also increase market demand for light-based wireless networking (Li-Fi) which has the advantage of being stopped by existing walls.
  - whatshisface 5y ago
    People will need indoor cell repeaters to undo what's done by their shielded walls.
    - transpute 5y ago
      Hopefully light-based networking gains mass-market traction. First Li-Fi tablet was announced at CES 2022, https://electronics360.globalspec.com/article/17597/first-li-fi-android-tablet-unveiled-at-ces-2022 https://electronics360.globalspec.com/article/17597/first-li...
    - selfhoster11 5y ago
      This might be beneficial. If people get used to a mini-repeater in each room, dead spots of signal in houses and flats will go the way of the dodo.
  - ClumsyPilot 5y ago
    > innovation in wall construction. You mean like how we got ourprivacy back through innovation in web browsers? Also we already have wifi-proof paint.
Gigachad 5y ago
I think future home privacy will go beyond blinds. We will be lining the walls in RF blocking sheets.
- transpute 5y ago
  RF shielding materials: https://mpkb.org/home/special/emf/protective_materials https://mpkb.org/home/special/emf/protective_materials & https://www.eiwellspring.org/shielding.html https://www.eiwellspring.org/shielding.html QuietRock 530RF drywall will block sound and RF, https://www.buildsite.com/pdf/pabcogypsum/QuietRock-530-Installation-Instructions-B34685.pdf https://www.buildsite.com/pdf/pabcogypsum/QuietRock-530-Inst...
- eunoia 5y ago
  Honest question: is wrapping a home in a Faraday cage even plausible? Or on a room level? How do you control for RF leaks? How do you handle windows and doorways? I’m fascinated.
  - transpute 5y ago
    Room example, https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipM0GkLosTlvxisP4s4DfueXpjBvBXfKWlXOO2FTlg0wTefXal7sdY9B6Fds90D8Fw?key=ZjM2b3p5alFxZWxhV0FpZTdYaFByU0tMY25RdmpR https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipM0GkLosTlvxisP4s4DfueX... Windows = RF-blocking conductive mesh: copper (expensive) or nickel-copper-polyester.
bluGill 5y ago
It isn't just you, but it should be. The privacy implications are potentially disturbing and need to be address (I have no idea how). However there are also a lot of real uses for this that will make your life better. Some of those are things we haven't thought of yet.
- lexicality 5y ago
  What sort of real uses?

Technology can't be stopped by individual engineers refusing to invent it, it can only be stopped by everyone agreeing on the ways it shouldn't be used. So it was for arson (fire), homicide (every weapon since the rock), and obscene material (all communications technology), and so must it be for privacy and the various techniques of monitoring us.

pjbeam 5y ago
Even then it isn't stopped; once something exists someone will eventually use it, and likely in way not intended by the designer.
transpute 5y ago
Since 802.11bf makes most existing walls transparent, it should lead to innovation in wall construction. It may also increase market demand for light-based wireless networking (Li-Fi) which has the advantage of being stopped by existing walls.
- whatshisface 5y ago
  People will need indoor cell repeaters to undo what's done by their shielded walls.
  - transpute 5y ago
    Hopefully light-based networking gains mass-market traction. First Li-Fi tablet was announced at CES 2022, https://electronics360.globalspec.com/article/17597/first-li-fi-android-tablet-unveiled-at-ces-2022 https://electronics360.globalspec.com/article/17597/first-li...
  - selfhoster11 5y ago
    This might be beneficial. If people get used to a mini-repeater in each room, dead spots of signal in houses and flats will go the way of the dodo.
- ClumsyPilot 5y ago
  > innovation in wall construction. You mean like how we got ourprivacy back through innovation in web browsers? Also we already have wifi-proof paint.

Gigachad 5y ago

I think future home privacy will go beyond blinds. We will be lining the walls in RF blocking sheets.

transpute 5y ago
RF shielding materials: https://mpkb.org/home/special/emf/protective_materials https://mpkb.org/home/special/emf/protective_materials & https://www.eiwellspring.org/shielding.html https://www.eiwellspring.org/shielding.html QuietRock 530RF drywall will block sound and RF, https://www.buildsite.com/pdf/pabcogypsum/QuietRock-530-Installation-Instructions-B34685.pdf https://www.buildsite.com/pdf/pabcogypsum/QuietRock-530-Inst...
eunoia 5y ago
Honest question: is wrapping a home in a Faraday cage even plausible? Or on a room level? How do you control for RF leaks? How do you handle windows and doorways? I’m fascinated.
- transpute 5y ago
  Room example, https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipM0GkLosTlvxisP4s4DfueXpjBvBXfKWlXOO2FTlg0wTefXal7sdY9B6Fds90D8Fw?key=ZjM2b3p5alFxZWxhV0FpZTdYaFByU0tMY25RdmpR https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipM0GkLosTlvxisP4s4DfueX... Windows = RF-blocking conductive mesh: copper (expensive) or nickel-copper-polyester.

bluGill 5y ago

It isn't just you, but it should be. The privacy implications are potentially disturbing and need to be address (I have no idea how). However there are also a lot of real uses for this that will make your life better. Some of those are things we haven't thought of yet.

lexicality 5y ago
What sort of real uses?