Comcast adds motion sensing to millions of its newer routers, with a privacy catch

In Brief Posted: 9:39 AM PDT · August 18, 2026 Image Credits: Jeff Fusco / Getty Images Zack Whittaker Comcast adds motion sensing to millions of its newer routers, with a privacy catch Comcast has rolled out a new motion sensing technology to its latest home routers, allowing homeowners to receive notifications about activity detected inside their house while they are away. The free feature, called Wi-Fi Motion , turns newer Xfinity gateways into motion sensors by detecting interruptions to the Wi-Fi signal of the wireless network, and sends a notification through the Xfinity app. As first reported by The Verge , the new Wi-Fi Motion feature works for advanced Xfinity gateways XB7 and newer models and is opt-in, which means users can choose whether to switch on the feature in the Xfinity app. As quoted by the publication, customers can use this feature for “motion detection in their home and for a basic level of security.” There is a privacy trade-off. By enabling the feature, Comcast says it may disclose information generated from a customer’s use of Wi-Fi Motion to outside parties under a broad array of reasons — and Comcast also says it doesn’t have to tell you. “Comcast may disclose information generated by your Wi-Fi Motion to third parties without further notice to you in connection with any law enforcement investigation or proceeding, any dispute to which Comcast is a party, or pursuant to a court order or subpoena,” reads an Xfinity support page . That’s something to consider before you switch on the feature, particularly if you’re privacy conscious. Topics cybersecurity , privacy , Security October 13 – 15 San Francisco Scale faster. Grow your portfolio. Gain practical expertise. No matter your goal, Disrupt can empower you. Save up to $300 toda y! REGISTER NOW Newsletters See More Subscribe for the industry’s biggest tech news TechCrunch Daily News Every weekday and Sunday, you can get the best of TechCrunch’s coverage. TechCrunch Mobility TechCrunch Mobility is your destination for transportation news and insight. Startups Weekly Startups are the core of TechCrunch, so get our best coverage delivered weekly. StrictlyVC Provides movers and shakers with the info they need to start their day. No newsletters selected. Subscribe By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice . Related Security ‘Unprecedented’ number of Apple users received recent spyware alert, say investigators Lorenzo Franceschi-Bicchierai 21 hours ago Security Crypto hardware wallet owners face fresh security risks after recent spate of personal data thefts Zack Whittaker 1 day ago Latest in Security In Brief Comcast adds motion sensing to millions of its newer routers, with a privacy catch Zack Whittaker 31 minutes ago In Brief Bluesky says its recent outage was caused by another DDoS attack Zack Whittaker 1 hour ago Security ‘Unprecedented’ number of Apple users received recent spyware alert, say investigators Lorenzo Franceschi-Bicchierai 21 hours ago