Analysing the privacy policies of Wi-Fi trackers
type: Dataset
description: Wi-Fi-based tracking systems have recently appeared. By collecting radio signals emitted by Wi-Fi enabled devices, those systems are able to track individuals. They basically rely on the MAC address to uniquely identify each individual. If retailers and business have high expectations for physical tracking, it is also a threat for citizens privacy. We analyse the privacy policies used by the current tracking companies then we show the pitfalls of hash-based anonymization. More particularly we demonstrate that the hash-based anonymization of MAC address used in many Wi-Fi tracking systems can be easily defeated using of-the-shelf software and hardware. Finally we discuss possible solutions for MAC address anonymization in Wi-Fi tracking systems.
landing page: https://inria.hal.science/hal-00968585
identifier: Report N°: RR-8506
keyword: 80211
keyword: anonymization
keyword: hash-function
keyword: infoeu-reposemanticsreport
keyword: infoinfo-crcomputer-science-cscryptography-and-security-cscr
keyword: mac-address
keyword: privacy
keyword: reports
keyword: wi-fi-tracking
issued: 2026-05-05T19:18:21.883961
modified: 2026-05-05T19:18:21.883964
language: en
contact point: Organization
  fn: CCSD

test_moissonnage_selune
type: Agent

Analysing the privacy policies of Wi-Fi trackers
type: Distribution
format: HTML
access URL: https://inria.hal.science/hal-00968585
issued: 2026-05-05T19:18:21.885560
modified: 2026-05-05T19:18:21.872193