Privacy by Design and Third Party Access to Customer Energy Usage Data

A new white paper is available today, “Privacy by Design and Third Party Access to Customer Energy Usage Data”. Written by Ontario, Canada’s Information and Privacy Commissioner, Dr. Ann Cavoukian, and Jules Polonetsky, Co-Chair, of the Future of Privacy Forum, the paper addresses best practices for third party access to customer energy usage data.

Paper Summary: The increased availability of customer energy usage data (CEUD) is one of the numerous benefits of Smart Grid improvements. CEUD allows for more efficient power use by utilities and customers to better deal with spikes in demand. Utilities can avoid having to use expensive “peaker plants” which kick in when energy demands exceed normal levels of supply. And with greater access to information about their own CEUD, customers can make more informed choices about when and how much electricity to use. The paper explores the issue of third party access to CEUD and its benefits, as well as the potential privacy risks. It examines the potential new products and services created by third party access which may support conservation and new market opportunities.

The Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario’s News Release is available here (pdf).

1/28/2013 – FTC Announces Data Privacy Settlement – Politico

Jules Polonetsky joined a number of other privacy advocates and officials from leading technology firms on a panel as part of Data Privacy Day. The keynote speaker and FTC Commissioner, Maureen Ohlhausen addressed the audience at The George Washington University and was expected to touch on a number of privacy related topics.

To read more about the news article on Politico and the event click here.

PrivacySmart Seal Powered by TRUSTe Awards First Smart Grid Seal

The PowerTools app by Candi Controls is now available for customers to download on their mobile devices and it allows them to check energy use, set goals, and track patterns relating to energy use. Data is being made available by San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) utilizing their Green Button Connect My Data platform. Companies that are awarded the seal are able to display it at SDG&E’s web portal where consumers can choose to enable third party services.

Candi Controls is the first to receive certification under the Future of Privacy Forum – TRUSTed Smart Grid Privacy Program. This user-friendly tool for customers to analyze their energy use is exactly what the seal program is meant to enable. The self-regulatory program certifies that companies seeking to access energy information are doing so with the express consent of consumers.

If you are a company offering home energy management, remote home control or security, smart thermostats and other services that seek to access consumer energy data, you can find out more by contacting the Future of Privacy Forum at [email protected].

More details about the program are also available at

http://www.truste.com/consumer-privacy/TRUSTed-smart-grid

EU Roundtable Discussion & White Paper launch

The Future of Privacy Forum (FPF) is engaged in the discussion on the draft European General Data Protection Regulation. In particular, we are publishing white papers addressing three issues raised by the new legislation:

You and your colleagues are warmly invited to attend an event releasing the white papers, which will feature a discussion with leading policymakers.

Location: Renaissance Hotel in Brussels, Belgium

Rue du Parnasse 15, 1050 Ixelles, Belgium

Venue may change if the demand for attendance grows beyond current expectation.

Date: Wednesday, 23 January 2013

Time: 5:00 – 7:00pm CET

Registration: http://2013fpfbrussels.eventbrite.com/ 

The discussion will be moderated by Christopher Wolf, Founder and Co-Chair of the Future of Privacy Forum and Omer Tene, Senior Fellow at the Future of Privacy Forum.

The panelists are (in alphabetical order):

MEP Jan Philipp Albrecht, Rapporteur, General Data Protection Regulation

Ms. Françoise Le Bail, European Commission, Director General for Justice

Ms. Bojana Bellamy, Director of Data Privacy, Accenture

Ms. Julie Brill, FTC Commissioner

Mr. Peter Hustinx, European Data Protection Supervisor

MEP Seán Kelly, Rapporteur for Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) Committee (TBC)

Mr. Jacob Kohnstamm, Chairman of the Article 29 Data Protection Working Party and the Dutch Data Protection Authority

Ms. Gabriela Krader, Corporate Data Protection Officer, Deutsche Post DHL

Mr. Peter Schaar, Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information, Germany

Dr. Rainer Stentzel, Head of Project Group, Data Protection Reform, German Federal Ministry of the Interior

Dr. Wojciech Rafał Wiewiórowski, Inspector General for the Protection of Personal Data, Poland

Participation is free of charge, but please register at http://2013fpfbrussels.eventbrite.com/ above as space is limited.

Questions: [email protected]

Happy New Year from the Future of Privacy Forum!

 

Happy New Year!

Dear Friends,

Happy New Year from the Future of Privacy Forum!  And thank you for following our work and for your support in advancing privacy issues.  Here is our 2013 List of Ins and Outs for your enjoyment. On behalf of the entire team at FPF we wish you a fulfilling New Year.
To receive regular updates from FPF, please subscribe here.                           

Chris Wolf                                          Jules Polonetsky
Founder and Co-chair                       Director and Co-chair

1.   EU Politicians
2.   California AG Kamala Harris
3.   Madame Chairperson?
4.   FBI follows Petraeus with email
5.   Mac users pay more for travel
6.   No tracking cookies for kids
7.   Challenging FTC Section 5   unfairness jurisdiction
8.   Damages in privacy cases
9.   Short notices
10. Do Not Agree 

1.   EU Data Commissioners
2.   FTC’s David Vladeck
3.   Chairman Leibowitz
4.   FBI follows Jones with GPS
5.   Mac users pay more for computer

6.   No personal info from kids

7.   Consent order settlements

8.   No financial harm/no case

9.   30 page mobile privacy policies

10. Do Not Track