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IS YOUR washing machine spilling secrets? Having a smart meter collect and share data on how our appliances use energy would make a fifth of people in the UK 鈥渦ncomfortable鈥�.
Given that the UK government wants , it has some persuading to do, says of the University of Nottingham, UK, who carried out an online survey of 2400 people.
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The meters allow users to program equipment to switch on at times when the grid has spare capacity and power is cheap. That could cut electricity costs. But people are increasingly aware of the value of personal data and privacy, so often want to err on the side of caution, Spence says.
鈥淧eople are increasingly aware of the value of their personal data and privacy, so want to be cautious鈥�
Those most worried about fuel bills were also the most fearful, whereas those concerned about climate change tended to be more amenable to data sharing (Nature Climate Change, doi.org/35j).
This article appeared in print under the headline 鈥淢eter snitch fears鈥�