note: i used gpt to clean this up because i am ill and distracted by snowfall and cold. It muddied some of my points, but it removed a lot of PII and rambling. note over.
I noticed some commenters questioning details in the article, like the Wi-Fi triangulation and the earthquake survivor detector. While it's fair to discuss technical aspects, I believe the focus should be on the broader implications rather than dismissing the story based on perceived inconsistencies.
I haven’t dealt with clearances or compartmentalization in years, but I know how serious these matters are. Disclosing specific names, dates, or events carries severe consequences—this isn’t something covered by toothless NDAs. The penalties can include federal prison for treason. I’ve personally experienced the DoD investigating me just because I was listed as a reference. It’s an intimidating process, and it makes sense why people who fear being doxxed rewrite their stories, swapping out modular details to obscure sensitive information.
Regarding the Wi-Fi triangulation: this is well within the realm of possibility. Many years ago, I purchased a Hydra SDR radio with inexpensive RTL-SDR chips. With four matched antennas arranged in a line or an X, connected to a Raspberry Pi 4, I could triangulate signals and visualize the results on a map. The hardware wasn’t advanced, but it worked. Even in 2012, there were rumors about using Wi-Fi signals to see through walls. Whether or not the article is perfectly accurate, the point is to consider the ethical and societal consequences of such technologies, not to nitpick technical details.
As for the earthquake survivor detector, the underlying principle is related. Identifying survivors using leaked signals like Bluetooth or cellular emissions isn’t fundamentally different from using Wi-Fi for similar purposes. The scenarios may involve different actors—military versus contractors—but the capabilities are converging.
I’ve worked at a defense contractor that manufactured components for Boeing and McDonnell Douglas jets. While I avoided involvement with military projects, I know how extensive and layered the contractor ecosystem is. Comments suggesting "there are only a few" don’t align with my experience.
On a personal note, I’ve always struggled with the ethical implications of the work I’ve done. This has made my career difficult. I don’t judge others who take these roles—someone else will do the work if they don’t—but my own scruples have been a constant challenge. For example, I once worked on a project at a large entertainment company based on an idea I had years earlier. The demanded i eventually sit in the office and handle tier 3 phone calls. I had a minor breakdown in the stairwell; i didn't even let my children consume their content, but i was too jazzed to work on the thing that i pitched to apple 7 years earlier. That was over a decade ago, but i'm still annoyed at myself.
I believe stories like this should be taken seriously. Dismissing them based on perceived inconsistencies seems like rationalization, to me.
thanks for the link!