Wi-Fi routers are at the core of our digital lives. They transmit all our online exchanges, from video streaming to Google searches. But to what extent do these routers know what we are doing on the Internet? After going through tens of thousands of words from privacy policies, one thing is clear: routers know more about us than we think.
Long and vague privacy policies
By analyzing the policies of several major brands, one common point emerges: they are often vague, technical, and not easily understandable for the general public. Some companies mention data collection “for diagnostic purposes” or “to improve service,” without clearly detailing what this actually implies.
Technical data… and behavioral data
Routers often collect technical information such as IP addresses, the names of connected devices, or connection times. But some manufacturers go further, collecting data related to our online behavior: websites visited, the frequency of certain applications, or even the bandwidth consumed by each service.
Sharing with third parties
This is where things get sensitive. Several brands mention possible data sharing with “trusted partners.” This may include advertising companies or analytics platforms. In some cases, users can refuse this sharing, but it is not always clearly explained.
Should we be worried?
Not necessarily, but it is important to understand that a router is not just a passive box. It can be used to collect valuable data about our usage. The good news is that some manufacturers allow us to disable this collection — as long as we know where to look in the settings.
How to limit data collection?
- Choose a router that better respects privacy. Models like those from Firewalla or GL.iNet are more transparent.
- Disable telemetry options in the router’s administration interface.
- Regularly update the firmware to fix potential security vulnerabilities.
Using a VPN: the best defense
A VPN encrypts our Internet traffic before it reaches the router. Even if the router collects data, it will then be unreadable. Today, this is one of the best options to preserve privacy.
Conclusion
Wi-Fi routers are not just simple technical gateways. Some act as silent observers of our digital lives. By carefully choosing our equipment and properly configuring our network, we can keep control over what we share — or not.
