Smart meter: Difference between revisions
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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 |date=2025-07-19 |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 |access-date=2025-27-09 |website=Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=09 Sept 2025 |title=Smart Meter Opt Out - Eversource |url=https://www.eversource.com/residential/account-billing/smart-meters/smart-meter-opt-out |url-status=live |access-date=09 Sept 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=2025-07-19 |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 |access-date=2025-27-09 |website=Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=09 Sept 2025 |title=Smart Meter Opt Out - Eversource |url=https://www.eversource.com/residential/account-billing/smart-meters/smart-meter-opt-out |url-status=live |access-date=09 Sept 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, 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, 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. | *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. | ||