WiFi tracking – any RF tracking

Points and counterpoints on WiFi (or Bluetooth or NF) tracking (aka locating, aka harvesting – depending on what data you collect).

Washington Post – WiFi tracking basics

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2013/10/19/how-stores-use-your-phones-wifi-to-track-your-shopping-habits/

Schneier context

https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2013/11/close-in_survei.html

Google WiFi harvesting

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9226418/Why_Google_should_be_allowed_to_harvest_your_Wi_Fi_data

Other Wifi harvesting

http://www.storyleak.com/wi-fi-trashcans-tracking-your-smartphone-data/

WiFi locating

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wi-Fi_positioning_system

Apple iBeacon

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9242393/Why_Apple_s_indoor_GPS_plan_is_brilliant

And an independent

http://arstechnica.com/security/2013/08/diy-stalker-boxes-spy-on-wi-fi-users-cheaply-and-with-maximum-creep-value/

  

All very technically straightforward. Even somewhat legally straightforward. But somewhat questionable morally.

Moral question aside, it would be nice to be able to turn off endpoint WiFi, Bluetooth and other RF signals with assurance. For me that always points to being able to physically remove the radio (on USB) or its power source (radio power has a physical switch) or an RF cap over antenna port if one is not worried about the radio energy drain. And switch should be instant (under a second on and off) at any time (even if not logged in or authenticated). Basically points to USB dongles.