Get smart / I have security and safety concerns about smart meters

I have security and safety concerns about smart meters

1. Is a smart meter harmful to me or my employees?

Public Health England (PHE) sees no risk or dangers to health from smart meters. The smart meters used in Britain have undergone one of the most rigorous safety testing regimes in the world and exceed every UK and EU safety standard.

While smart meters do emit radio waves, the exposure to them is much lower than you would get from devices you’re already using every day such as mobile phones and laptops or other equipment that connects to your Wi-Fi. PHE does not view exposure to radio waves as a sufficient reason to reject smart meters.

You can read this guidance issued by the Government to find out more.

2. Can someone hack into my smart meter and steal my data?

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) have worked together to make sure that smart meters and the network they run on are safe and any impact in the event of a cyber-attack has limited consequences. They are designed to standards of security that match those used by banks, if not higher. In addition, smart meters don’t store personal sensitive data like your name, address, bank details so you don’t need to worry about that data being stolen. You can read more about smart meter security on the National Cyber Security website.

3. Will you pass my data to third-parties without my consent?

There are certain instances where we need to share personal data such as your name, address and phone number with service providers, such as those who support us in the installation and maintenance of your energy meters or those who deliver any of our marketing materials to you (marketing agencies). You can read more about how we use your customer data in our Customer Privacy Notice.

In other instances, you can make a decision as to whether we can share data with companies we collaborate with and trust to be able to offer you better products and services, or save you energy and money. Read more on the dedicated smart meter data page.