Energy smart meters are a threat to privacy, says European watchdog
Posted in: Government & Policy at 02/07/2012 14:00
European Data Protection Supervisor warns 'massive collection of personal data' could be accessed without safeguards
Hi-tech monitors that track households' energy consumption threaten to become a major privacy issue, according to the European watchdog in charge of protecting personal data.
The European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) has warned that smart meters, which must be introduced into every home in the UK within the next seven years, will be used to track much more than energy consumption unless proper safeguards are introduced.
The EDPS warns that "while the Europe-wide rollout of smart metering systems may bring significant benefits, it will also enable massive collection of personal data".
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/jul/01/household-energy-trackers-threat-privacy
