someone from observing their Wi-Fi networks. An often-overlooked element of online security, however, is the hardware itself. Specifically, router manufacturers have drawn the ire of some critics because of their role at the center of their clients’ data, granting them a unique ability to violate the privacy of their users. A recent CNET report sheds light on the privacy practices within the industry by analyzing over 30,000 words of fine print and contacting representatives from seven of the biggest providers, namely Arris, TP-Link, Eero, D-Link, Asus, Google Nest, and Netgear. The findings were not as straightforward as one might wish. Generally, company privacy policies were lengthy, unclear, and intricate documents seemingly designed to foster as much legal ambiguity as possible. Regrettably, such documents render it exceedingly challenging for the typical user to understand the privacy safeguards of their chosen providers. Although the majority denied selling browsing information, all were discovered to gather user data for purposes of marketing or system upkeep.
The issue made headlines in December 2024 when the Wall Street Journal reported that the Departments of Commerce and Justice were <a href="https://www.bgr.com/2022708/why
