Opposition to utility “smart” meters (electric, gas, and water) has been ongoing worldwide since they started being deployed over a decade ago. Utilities encourage or force consumers to accept these controversial devices in order to remotely control and/or ration energy use as well as collect consumer usage data 24/7 to sell and/or share with 3rd parties including government and law enforcement agencies. In the U.K., “smart” meter complaints and issues are rapidly increasing and also include forcing ½ million of the poorest households to accept prepayment smart meters even when they can’t afford to prepay. Adding insult to injury, prepayment smart meters can actually make energy bills more expensive. In fact, British flat dwellers may be able to take legal action because of this.
