The Department of Energy (DOE) has published a report on the rollout of smart grid technologies and their impact on privacy, Computerworld reports. The smart grid will collect and measure energy consumption data from residences, disclosing "fairly detailed information about the behavior and activities of a particular household," the DOE report states. The DOE says lawmakers need to recognize and address the concerns. In particular, the DOE says that consumers should have control over whether third-parties may access or receive their energy data and calls for the creation of policies to ensure that utilities refrain from sharing customers' energy usage data with third-parties without their authorization. Editor's note: For more on the smart grid and privacy, read "Smart grids are the future of power, but what does that mean for the future of privacy?" from the July issue of the Privacy Advisor. (Member login required.)
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