Do Wi-Fi Routers Track Your Browsing? I Read 30,000 Words of Privacy Policies to Find Out

Originally hailing from Troy, Ohio, Ry Crist is a writer, a text-based adventure connoisseur, a lover of terrible movies and an enthusiastic yet mediocre cook. A CNET editor from 2013 to 2024, Ry's beats included smart home tech, lighting, appliances, broadband and home networking.

• 10 years product testing experience with the CNET Home team

Your W-Fi router is responsible for conveying nearly 100% of your internet traffic. That's a lot of data -- enough to make privacy a concern when picking one out.

So, how do you know if your router is collecting data about you? The first place to start looking for answers is your router manufacturer's privacy policy. Unfortunately, those privacy policies are often brutally long and full of ...