Smart meter - Revision history

Keith at 20:02, 27 March 2026

2026-03-27T20:02:36Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:02, 27 March 2026
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	==Consumer-impact summary==		==Consumer-impact summary==
	Smart meters are in and of themselves mostly harmless ~~(**Note: there have suspicions of harmful amounts of EMF and RF being emitted from the meters due to lack of shielding, no major studies found at time of page creation)~~, but when coupled with third parties collecting, processing, and retaining data this could put the end user at risk of data leaks:		Smart meters are in and of themselves mostly harmless, but when coupled with third parties collecting, processing, and retaining data this could put the end user at risk of data leaks:
	*User Freedom: Many of electric, water, and gas distribution companies are asking or requiring customers to switch to smart meters. In some cases customers can opt out if they pay a monthly fee and in rare cases companies will allow customers to opt out for free. <ref>{{Cite web \|date=July 19, 2025 \|title=Smart electricity meters being imposed against will of consumers \|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/smart-electricity-meters-being-imposed-against-will-of-consumers-patwari/articleshow/122771583.cms \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250720070854/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/smart-electricity-meters-being-imposed-against-will-of-consumers-patwari/articleshow/122771583.cms \|archive-date=20 Jul 2025 \|access-date=September 27, 2025 \|website=Times of India}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web \|date=September 9, 2025 \|title=Smart Meter Opt Out - Eversource \|url=https://www.eversource.com/residential/account-billing/smart-meters/smart-meter-opt-out \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260209182557/https://www.eversource.com/residential/account-billing/smart-meters/smart-meter-opt-out \|archive-date=9 Feb 2026 \|access-date=September 27, 2025 \|website=Eversource}}</ref>		*User Freedom: Many of electric, water, and gas distribution companies are asking or requiring customers to switch to smart meters. In some cases customers can opt out if they pay a monthly fee and in rare cases companies will allow customers to opt out for free. <ref>{{Cite web \|date=July 19, 2025 \|title=Smart electricity meters being imposed against will of consumers \|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/smart-electricity-meters-being-imposed-against-will-of-consumers-patwari/articleshow/122771583.cms \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250720070854/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/smart-electricity-meters-being-imposed-against-will-of-consumers-patwari/articleshow/122771583.cms \|archive-date=20 Jul 2025 \|access-date=September 27, 2025 \|website=Times of India}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web \|date=September 9, 2025 \|title=Smart Meter Opt Out - Eversource \|url=https://www.eversource.com/residential/account-billing/smart-meters/smart-meter-opt-out \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260209182557/https://www.eversource.com/residential/account-billing/smart-meters/smart-meter-opt-out \|archive-date=9 Feb 2026 \|access-date=September 27, 2025 \|website=Eversource}}</ref>
	*User Privacy: Most smart meters use third parties to collect, process, and store data without the customers knowledge. This data can be used to infer patterns in electricity, identify when users are home, identify what appliances they are using<ref>{{Citation\|last=Quinn \|first=Elias L. \|date=Spring 2009 \|title=A REPORT FOR THE COLORADO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION \|url=https://www.culawschool.org/tlpc/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/ELias-PUC-09I-EG593-Framing-Paper-Elias-Quinn.pdf\|pages=iv}} ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260209183115/https://www.culawschool.org/tlpc/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/ELias-PUC-09I-EG593-Framing-Paper-Elias-Quinn.pdf Archived])</ref>, etc.		*User Privacy: Most smart meters use third parties to collect, process, and store data without the customers knowledge. This data can be used to infer patterns in electricity, identify when users are home, identify what appliances they are using<ref>{{Citation\|last=Quinn \|first=Elias L. \|date=Spring 2009 \|title=A REPORT FOR THE COLORADO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION \|url=https://www.culawschool.org/tlpc/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/ELias-PUC-09I-EG593-Framing-Paper-Elias-Quinn.pdf\|pages=iv}} ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260209183115/https://www.culawschool.org/tlpc/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/ELias-PUC-09I-EG593-Framing-Paper-Elias-Quinn.pdf Archived])</ref>, etc.

Bananabot: Added archive URLs for 1 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

2026-02-23T13:03:16Z

Added archive URLs for 1 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:03, 23 February 2026
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	Smart meters are in and of themselves mostly harmless (**Note: there have suspicions of harmful amounts of EMF and RF being emitted from the meters due to lack of shielding, no major studies found at time of page creation), but when coupled with third parties collecting, processing, and retaining data this could put the end user at risk of data leaks:		Smart meters are in and of themselves mostly harmless (**Note: there have suspicions of harmful amounts of EMF and RF being emitted from the meters due to lack of shielding, no major studies found at time of page creation), but when coupled with third parties collecting, processing, and retaining data this could put the end user at risk of data leaks:
	*User Freedom: Many of electric, water, and gas distribution companies are asking or requiring customers to switch to smart meters. In some cases customers can opt out if they pay a monthly fee and in rare cases companies will allow customers to opt out for free. <ref>{{Cite web \|date=July 19, 2025 \|title=Smart electricity meters being imposed against will of consumers \|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/smart-electricity-meters-being-imposed-against-will-of-consumers-patwari/articleshow/122771583.cms \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250720070854/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/smart-electricity-meters-being-imposed-against-will-of-consumers-patwari/articleshow/122771583.cms \|archive-date=20 Jul 2025 \|access-date=September 27, 2025 \|website=Times of India}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web \|date=September 9, 2025 \|title=Smart Meter Opt Out - Eversource \|url=https://www.eversource.com/residential/account-billing/smart-meters/smart-meter-opt-out \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260209182557/https://www.eversource.com/residential/account-billing/smart-meters/smart-meter-opt-out \|archive-date=9 Feb 2026 \|access-date=September 27, 2025 \|website=Eversource}}</ref>		*User Freedom: Many of electric, water, and gas distribution companies are asking or requiring customers to switch to smart meters. In some cases customers can opt out if they pay a monthly fee and in rare cases companies will allow customers to opt out for free. <ref>{{Cite web \|date=July 19, 2025 \|title=Smart electricity meters being imposed against will of consumers \|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/smart-electricity-meters-being-imposed-against-will-of-consumers-patwari/articleshow/122771583.cms \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250720070854/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/smart-electricity-meters-being-imposed-against-will-of-consumers-patwari/articleshow/122771583.cms \|archive-date=20 Jul 2025 \|access-date=September 27, 2025 \|website=Times of India}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web \|date=September 9, 2025 \|title=Smart Meter Opt Out - Eversource \|url=https://www.eversource.com/residential/account-billing/smart-meters/smart-meter-opt-out \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260209182557/https://www.eversource.com/residential/account-billing/smart-meters/smart-meter-opt-out \|archive-date=9 Feb 2026 \|access-date=September 27, 2025 \|website=Eversource}}</ref>
	*User Privacy: Most smart meters use third parties to collect, process, and store data without the customers knowledge. This data can be used to infer patterns in electricity, identify when users are home, identify what appliances they are using<ref>{{Citation\|last=Quinn \|first=Elias L. \|date=Spring 2009 \|title=A REPORT FOR THE COLORADO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION \|url=https://www.culawschool.org/tlpc/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/ELias-PUC-09I-EG593-Framing-Paper-Elias-Quinn.pdf\|pages=iv}}</ref>, etc.		*User Privacy: Most smart meters use third parties to collect, process, and store data without the customers knowledge. This data can be used to infer patterns in electricity, identify when users are home, identify what appliances they are using<ref>{{Citation\|last=Quinn \|first=Elias L. \|date=Spring 2009 \|title=A REPORT FOR THE COLORADO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION \|url=https://www.culawschool.org/tlpc/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/ELias-PUC-09I-EG593-Framing-Paper-Elias-Quinn.pdf\|pages=iv}} ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260209183115/https://www.culawschool.org/tlpc/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/ELias-PUC-09I-EG593-Framing-Paper-Elias-Quinn.pdf Archived])</ref>, etc.
	*Business Model: Utility companies typically do not disclose to their customers what is happening with the data from the smart meter, tell customers what brand smart meter is being installed, or inform customers of the third party smart meter companies' privacy policy. There is also something to be said for removing unskilled labor positions from the job market (i.e., meter readers) and paying a third party smart meter company instead.		*Business Model: Utility companies typically do not disclose to their customers what is happening with the data from the smart meter, tell customers what brand smart meter is being installed, or inform customers of the third party smart meter companies' privacy policy. There is also something to be said for removing unskilled labor positions from the job market (i.e., meter readers) and paying a third party smart meter company instead.
	*Possible Security Issues: remote manipulation.		*Possible Security Issues: remote manipulation.

Trinity: Added archived reference links

2026-02-09T18:39:39Z

Added archived reference links

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:39, 9 February 2026
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	==Consumer-impact summary==		==Consumer-impact summary==
	Smart meters are in and of themselves mostly harmless (**Note: there have suspicions of harmful amounts of EMF and RF being emitted from the meters due to lack of shielding, no major studies found at time of page creation), but when coupled with third parties collecting, processing, and retaining data this could put the end user at risk of data leaks:		Smart meters are in and of themselves mostly harmless (**Note: there have suspicions of harmful amounts of EMF and RF being emitted from the meters due to lack of shielding, no major studies found at time of page creation), but when coupled with third parties collecting, processing, and retaining data this could put the end user at risk of data leaks:
	*User Freedom: Many of electric, water, and gas distribution companies are asking or requiring customers to switch to smart meters. In some cases customers can opt out if they pay a monthly fee and in rare cases companies will allow customers to opt out for free. <ref>{{Cite web \|title=Smart electricity meters being imposed against will of consumers ~~\|date= July 19, 2025~~ \|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/smart-electricity-meters-being-imposed-against-will-of-consumers-patwari/articleshow/122771583.cms \|url-status=live \|access-date= September 27, 2025 \|website=Times of India}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web \|title=Smart Meter Opt Out - Eversource ~~\|date= September 9, 2025~~\|url=https://www.eversource.com/residential/account-billing/smart-meters/smart-meter-opt-out \|url-status=live \|access-date= September 27, 2025\|website=Eversource}}</ref>		*User Freedom: Many of electric, water, and gas distribution companies are asking or requiring customers to switch to smart meters. In some cases customers can opt out if they pay a monthly fee and in rare cases companies will allow customers to opt out for free. <ref>{{Cite web \|date=July 19, 2025 \|title=Smart electricity meters being imposed against will of consumers \|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/smart-electricity-meters-being-imposed-against-will-of-consumers-patwari/articleshow/122771583.cms \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250720070854/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/smart-electricity-meters-being-imposed-against-will-of-consumers-patwari/articleshow/122771583.cms \|archive-date=20 Jul 2025 \|access-date=September 27, 2025 \|website=Times of India}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web \|date=September 9, 2025 \|title=Smart Meter Opt Out - Eversource \|url=https://www.eversource.com/residential/account-billing/smart-meters/smart-meter-opt-out \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260209182557/https://www.eversource.com/residential/account-billing/smart-meters/smart-meter-opt-out \|archive-date=9 Feb 2026 \|access-date=September 27, 2025 \|website=Eversource}}</ref>
	*User Privacy: Most smart meters use third parties to collect, process, and store data without the customers knowledge. This data can be used to infer patterns in electricity, identify when users are home, identify what appliances they are using<ref>{{Citation\|last=Quinn \|first=Elias L. \|date=Spring 2009 \|title=A REPORT FOR THE COLORADO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION \|url=https://www.culawschool.org/tlpc/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/ELias-PUC-09I-EG593-Framing-Paper-Elias-Quinn.pdf\|pages=iv}}</ref>, etc.		*User Privacy: Most smart meters use third parties to collect, process, and store data without the customers knowledge. This data can be used to infer patterns in electricity, identify when users are home, identify what appliances they are using<ref>{{Citation\|last=Quinn \|first=Elias L. \|date=Spring 2009 \|title=A REPORT FOR THE COLORADO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION \|url=https://www.culawschool.org/tlpc/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/ELias-PUC-09I-EG593-Framing-Paper-Elias-Quinn.pdf\|pages=iv}}</ref>, etc.
	*Business Model: Utility companies typically do not disclose to their customers what is happening with the data from the smart meter, tell customers what brand smart meter is being installed, or inform customers of the third party smart meter companies' privacy policy. There is also something to be said for removing unskilled labor positions from the job market (i.e., meter readers) and paying a third party smart meter company instead.		*Business Model: Utility companies typically do not disclose to their customers what is happening with the data from the smart meter, tell customers what brand smart meter is being installed, or inform customers of the third party smart meter companies' privacy policy. There is also something to be said for removing unskilled labor positions from the job market (i.e., meter readers) and paying a third party smart meter company instead.

AnotherConsumerRightsPerson: WoW uNdErLiNe Is So CoOl!!

2025-10-23T05:49:38Z

WoW uNdErLiNe Is So CoOl!!

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:49, 23 October 2025
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	A smart meter is an electronic device that records utility (e.g., electricity, gas, water) information, such as:		A smart meter is an electronic device that records utility (e.g., electricity, gas, water) information, such as:

	~~<u>~~Consumption of electric energy~~</u>~~		'''Consumption of electric energy'''
	*voltage levels		*voltage levels
	*current		*current
	*power factor		*power factor
	~~<u>~~Consumption of lP (propane) or Natural gas~~</u>~~		'''Consumption of lP (propane) or Natural gas'''

	~~<u>~~Consumption of water~~</u>~~		'''Consumption of water'''

	The smart meter can then communicate the information to the consumer and utility suppliers. Advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) differs from automatic meter reading (AMR) in that it enables two-way communication between the meter and the supplier.		The smart meter can then communicate the information to the consumer and utility suppliers. Advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) differs from automatic meter reading (AMR) in that it enables two-way communication between the meter and the supplier.
Line 20:		Line 20:
	*Possible Security Issues: remote manipulation.		*Possible Security Issues: remote manipulation.
	*Demand pricing: Utilities can change the price of electricity over a day or week, for instance raising it when demand is high or supply is low. It is often difficult for consumers to shift major usage to off peak times, so many consumers wind up paying more with demand pricing.		*Demand pricing: Utilities can change the price of electricity over a day or week, for instance raising it when demand is high or supply is low. It is often difficult for consumers to shift major usage to off peak times, so many consumers wind up paying more with demand pricing.
	*Accuracy issues:		*Accuracy issues:
	*Cost and longevity: Smart meters are more expensive than traditional meters, they are also harder to recycle (having many more types of material in them). For example, a traditional electric meter can run for 70 years. It is hard to build smart meters that will not become obsolete much sooner than that. (For instance, encryption becomes vulnerable.)		*Cost and longevity: Smart meters are more expensive than traditional meters, they are also harder to recycle (having many more types of material in them). For example, a traditional electric meter can run for 70 years. It is hard to build smart meters that will not become obsolete much sooner than that. (For instance, encryption becomes vulnerable.)

Drakeula: demand pricing. cost of meters. accuracy issues

2025-10-12T01:27:58Z

demand pricing. cost of meters. accuracy issues

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:27, 12 October 2025
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	*User Freedom: Many of electric, water, and gas distribution companies are asking or requiring customers to switch to smart meters. In some cases customers can opt out if they pay a monthly fee and in rare cases companies will allow customers to opt out for free. <ref>{{Cite web \|title=Smart electricity meters being imposed against will of consumers \|date= July 19, 2025 \|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/smart-electricity-meters-being-imposed-against-will-of-consumers-patwari/articleshow/122771583.cms \|url-status=live \|access-date= September 27, 2025 \|website=Times of India}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web \|title=Smart Meter Opt Out - Eversource \|date= September 9, 2025\|url=https://www.eversource.com/residential/account-billing/smart-meters/smart-meter-opt-out \|url-status=live \|access-date= September 27, 2025\|website=Eversource}}</ref>		*User Freedom: Many of electric, water, and gas distribution companies are asking or requiring customers to switch to smart meters. In some cases customers can opt out if they pay a monthly fee and in rare cases companies will allow customers to opt out for free. <ref>{{Cite web \|title=Smart electricity meters being imposed against will of consumers \|date= July 19, 2025 \|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/smart-electricity-meters-being-imposed-against-will-of-consumers-patwari/articleshow/122771583.cms \|url-status=live \|access-date= September 27, 2025 \|website=Times of India}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web \|title=Smart Meter Opt Out - Eversource \|date= September 9, 2025\|url=https://www.eversource.com/residential/account-billing/smart-meters/smart-meter-opt-out \|url-status=live \|access-date= September 27, 2025\|website=Eversource}}</ref>
	*User Privacy: Most smart meters use third parties to collect, process, and store data without the customers knowledge. This data can be used to infer patterns in electricity, identify when users are home, identify what appliances they are using<ref>{{Citation\|last=Quinn \|first=Elias L. \|date=Spring 2009 \|title=A REPORT FOR THE COLORADO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION \|url=https://www.culawschool.org/tlpc/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/ELias-PUC-09I-EG593-Framing-Paper-Elias-Quinn.pdf\|pages=iv}}</ref>, etc.		*User Privacy: Most smart meters use third parties to collect, process, and store data without the customers knowledge. This data can be used to infer patterns in electricity, identify when users are home, identify what appliances they are using<ref>{{Citation\|last=Quinn \|first=Elias L. \|date=Spring 2009 \|title=A REPORT FOR THE COLORADO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION \|url=https://www.culawschool.org/tlpc/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/ELias-PUC-09I-EG593-Framing-Paper-Elias-Quinn.pdf\|pages=iv}}</ref>, etc.
	*Business Model: Utility companies typically do not disclose to their customers what is happening with the data from the smart meter, tell customers what brand smart meter is being installed, or inform customers of the third party smart meter companies' privacy policy. There is also something to be said for removing unskilled labor positions from the job market (~~ie:~~ meter readers) and paying a third party smart meter company instead.		*Business Model: Utility companies typically do not disclose to their customers what is happening with the data from the smart meter, tell customers what brand smart meter is being installed, or inform customers of the third party smart meter companies' privacy policy. There is also something to be said for removing unskilled labor positions from the job market (i.e., meter readers) and paying a third party smart meter company instead.
	*Possible Security Issues: remote manipulation.		*Possible Security Issues: remote manipulation.
			*Demand pricing: Utilities can change the price of electricity over a day or week, for instance raising it when demand is high or supply is low. It is often difficult for consumers to shift major usage to off peak times, so many consumers wind up paying more with demand pricing.
			*Accuracy issues:
			*Cost and longevity: Smart meters are more expensive than traditional meters, they are also harder to recycle (having many more types of material in them). For example, a traditional electric meter can run for 70 years. It is hard to build smart meters that will not become obsolete much sooner than that. (For instance, encryption becomes vulnerable.)

	<!-- Hidden		<!-- Hidden

Beanie Bo: stub

2025-10-10T17:47:17Z

stub

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:47, 10 October 2025
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			{{StubNotice}}

	A smart meter is an electronic device that records utility (e.g., electricity, gas, water) information, such as:		A smart meter is an electronic device that records utility (e.g., electricity, gas, water) information, such as:

Keith: reverting due to inappropriate tone - Undo revision 26033 by JodyBruchonFan (talk)

2025-10-01T14:15:39Z

reverting due to inappropriate tone - Undo revision 26033 by JodyBruchonFan (talk)

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:15, 1 October 2025
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	The smart meter can then communicate the information to the consumer and utility suppliers. Advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) differs from automatic meter reading (AMR) in that it enables two-way communication between the meter and the supplier.		The smart meter can then communicate the information to the consumer and utility suppliers. Advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) differs from automatic meter reading (AMR) in that it enables two-way communication between the meter and the supplier.

	The word "smart" implies that the device is technologically superior compared to non-"smart" meters,<ref>[https://www.tastyfish.cz/lrs/smart.html LRS Wiki: smart]: The adjective "smart" [...] is in the context of modern capitalist technology used as a euphemism for malicious features that include spyware, bloat, obscurity, DRM, ads, programmed planned obsolescence, unnecessary dependencies (such as required Internet connection), anti-repair design and others[.]</ref> but as a device which measures how much the user needs to pay, it is a device that works '''against''' inhabitants, not for them.

	==Consumer-impact summary==		==Consumer-impact summary==

JodyBruchonFan: A "smart" meter works against, not for the inhabitant.

2025-10-01T13:30:39Z

A "smart" meter works against, not for the inhabitant.

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:30, 1 October 2025
Line 10:		Line 10:

	The smart meter can then communicate the information to the consumer and utility suppliers. Advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) differs from automatic meter reading (AMR) in that it enables two-way communication between the meter and the supplier.		The smart meter can then communicate the information to the consumer and utility suppliers. Advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) differs from automatic meter reading (AMR) in that it enables two-way communication between the meter and the supplier.

			The word "smart" implies that the device is technologically superior compared to non-"smart" meters,<ref>[https://www.tastyfish.cz/lrs/smart.html LRS Wiki: smart]: The adjective "smart" [...] is in the context of modern capitalist technology used as a euphemism for malicious features that include spyware, bloat, obscurity, DRM, ads, programmed planned obsolescence, unnecessary dependencies (such as required Internet connection), anti-repair design and others[.]</ref> but as a device which measures how much the user needs to pay, it is a device that works '''against''' inhabitants, not for them.

	==Consumer-impact summary==		==Consumer-impact summary==

Privacywarrior at 20:05, 28 September 2025

2025-09-28T20:05:52Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:05, 28 September 2025
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	*Possible Security Issues: remote manipulation.		*Possible Security Issues: remote manipulation.

			<!-- Hidden
			==Hart v. PSREC Legal Case==
			One case of utility company customer "winning" a case against utility company
			{{Hatnote\|https://stopsmartmeters.org/2015/07/06/victory-in-16-month-standoff-as-psrec-drops-fees-and-restores-electric-service/}}
			-->

	==References==		==References==

Privacywarrior: Troubleshooting Citation issue, not sure what really happened...works now

2025-09-27T14:35:34Z

Troubleshooting Citation issue, not sure what really happened...works now

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:35, 27 September 2025
Line 13:		Line 13:
	==Consumer-impact summary==		==Consumer-impact summary==
	Smart meters are in and of themselves mostly harmless (**Note: there have suspicions of harmful amounts of EMF and RF being emitted from the meters due to lack of shielding, no major studies found at time of page creation), but when coupled with third parties collecting, processing, and retaining data this could put the end user at risk of data leaks:		Smart meters are in and of themselves mostly harmless (**Note: there have suspicions of harmful amounts of EMF and RF being emitted from the meters due to lack of shielding, no major studies found at time of page creation), but when coupled with third parties collecting, processing, and retaining data this could put the end user at risk of data leaks:
	*User Freedom: Many of electric, water, and gas distribution companies are asking or requiring customers to switch to smart meters. In some cases customers can opt out if they pay a monthly fee and in rare cases companies will allow customers to opt out for free. <ref>{{Cite web \|title=Smart electricity meters being imposed against will of consumers \|date= July 19, 2025 \|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/smart-electricity-meters-being-imposed-against-will-of-consumers-patwari/articleshow/122771583.cms \|url-status=live \|access-date= September 27, 2025 \|website=Times of India}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web \|title=Smart Meter Opt Out - Eversource \|date= ~~Sept 09~~, 2025 \|url=https://www.eversource.com/residential/account-billing/smart-meters/smart-meter-opt-out \|url-status=live \|access-date=~~Sept~~ 27, 2025\|website=Eversource}}</ref>		*User Freedom: Many of electric, water, and gas distribution companies are asking or requiring customers to switch to smart meters. In some cases customers can opt out if they pay a monthly fee and in rare cases companies will allow customers to opt out for free. <ref>{{Cite web \|title=Smart electricity meters being imposed against will of consumers \|date= July 19, 2025 \|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/smart-electricity-meters-being-imposed-against-will-of-consumers-patwari/articleshow/122771583.cms \|url-status=live \|access-date= September 27, 2025 \|website=Times of India}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web \|title=Smart Meter Opt Out - Eversource \|date= September 9, 2025\|url=https://www.eversource.com/residential/account-billing/smart-meters/smart-meter-opt-out \|url-status=live \|access-date= September 27, 2025\|website=Eversource}}</ref>
	*User Privacy: Most smart meters use third parties to collect, process, and store data without the customers knowledge. This data can be used to infer patterns in electricity, identify when users are home, identify what appliances they are using<ref>{{Citation\|last=Quinn \|first=Elias L. \|date=Spring 2009 \|title=A REPORT FOR THE COLORADO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION \|url=https://www.culawschool.org/tlpc/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/ELias-PUC-09I-EG593-Framing-Paper-Elias-Quinn.pdf\|pages=iv}}</ref>, etc.		*User Privacy: Most smart meters use third parties to collect, process, and store data without the customers knowledge. This data can be used to infer patterns in electricity, identify when users are home, identify what appliances they are using<ref>{{Citation\|last=Quinn \|first=Elias L. \|date=Spring 2009 \|title=A REPORT FOR THE COLORADO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION \|url=https://www.culawschool.org/tlpc/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/ELias-PUC-09I-EG593-Framing-Paper-Elias-Quinn.pdf\|pages=iv}}</ref>, etc.
	*Business Model: Utility companies typically do not disclose to their customers what is happening with the data from the smart meter, tell customers what brand smart meter is being installed, or inform customers of the third party smart meter companies' privacy policy. There is also something to be said for removing unskilled labor positions from the job market (ie: meter readers) and paying a third party smart meter company instead.		*Business Model: Utility companies typically do not disclose to their customers what is happening with the data from the smart meter, tell customers what brand smart meter is being installed, or inform customers of the third party smart meter companies' privacy policy. There is also something to be said for removing unskilled labor positions from the job market (ie: meter readers) and paying a third party smart meter company instead.
	*Possible Security Issues: remote manipulation.		*Possible Security Issues: remote manipulation.




	==References==		==References==