Australian uni used Wi-Fi location data to ID protestors

"The University used Wi-Fi to identify students who participated in July 2024 sit-in protest. As described in a report [PDF] into the matter by the state of Victoria's Office of the Information Commissioner, the University directed protestors to leave the building they occupied and warned those who remained could be suspended, disciplined, or reported to police. The report says 22 chose to remain, and that the University used CCTV and WiFi location data to identify them."

"The Information Commissioner found that use of CCTV to identify protestors did not breach privacy, but felt using Wi-Fi location data did because the University's policies lacked detail. "Given that individuals would not have been aware of why their Wi-Fi location data was collected and how it may be used, they could not exercise an informed choice as to whether to use the Wi-Fi network during the sit-in, and be aware of the possible consequences for doing so," the report found."

University of Melbourne directed protesters to leave a campus building during a July 2024 sit‑in and warned that remaining could lead to suspension, discipline, or police referral. Twenty‑two individuals remained and were identified using CCTV and Wi‑Fi/WiFi location data. The Victorian Information Commissioner found CCTV identification lawful but judged the use of Wi‑Fi location data breached privacy because university policies did not explain why location data was collected or how it could be used, preventing informed choice. The university updated its location‑data policies during the inquiry and the regulator opted to monitor compliance rather than issue a formal notice. Separately, Fastly is evaluating CDN deployment strategies for Asia, noting challenges from large populations, scarce infrastructure, and prevalence of small‑screen phones.

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