This morning’s Dominion Post features an article by Ben Heather about how the Privacy Commissioner has received a number of complaints concerning how smart meters infringe on people’s privacy.

 

Smart meters pose a risk to privacy (and home security) because they collect data about electricity use in half hourly intervals 24/7 and transmit it back to the electricity company (and/or another party such as a lines company).

When this data is “deaggregated” by computers it is possible for power companies (or any other company or individual that has access to the data) to work out what appliances were in use when and thereby build up a profile of activities in a household or business. It is also easily possible to work out when people are home or not at home.

You can read the full story here:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/gadgets/66079055/smart-meters-power-companies-know-when-youre-home

 

Other links that you may find interesting if you are interested in privacy issues are here: 

https://stopsmartmeters.org.nz/latest-news/the-latest-on-how-smart-meters-affect-your-privacy/

 

https://stopsmartmeters.org.nz/government-and-electricity-industry-positions/network-tasman-there-are-no-privacy-concerns-with-smart-meters-yeah-right/

 

https://stopsmartmeters.org.nz/uncategorized/smart-meters-and-your-privacy/

 

https://stopsmartmeters.org.nz/government-and-electricity-industry-positions/mike-mitcham-lecture-on-smart-meters-and-the-smart-grid/