Connected technologies and always-on data flows are helping make today’s cities and communities more livable, productive, and sustainable. At the same time, these technologies raise concerns about individual privacy, freedom of choice, and institutional discrimination. How do we leverage the benefits of a data-rich society while giving members of our community the confidence of knowing their privacy is protected? How can we address pressing local problems — from housing to highways, potholes to policing — and deliver public services in equitable, privacy-conscious ways?
Working collaboratively with public, private, academic, and civil society leaders, FPF builds tools and best practices to guide how cities and local communities collect, manage, and use personal data to improve services for individuals. A cornerstone of this work is FPF’s Civic Privacy Leaders Network, a peer network supported by the National Science Foundation that brings together privacy leaders from 30+ local governments across the U.S. and Canada to navigate emerging privacy issues, share practical guidance, and promote fair and transparent data practices.
Visit the Smart Communities Resources web page for a comprehensive list of FPF’s ongoing work in this area.
Utility Regulators Vote on Smart Grid Privacy Resolution
This week, the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) is holding their annual meeting in Chicago. On Wednesday, the Commissioners will vote on passing a new resolution that will address privacy concerns and the development of the Smart Grid. We applaud the proposed resolution (see pg. 16) which will call for clear notices, consent, […]
Major utitility launches Microsoft home energy manager – opt-in.
“It’s interesting that customers have to opt-in to Hohm, via Microsoft’s web site, rather than being automatically enrolled. It shows that the utility is probably looking to give its customers a choice.” So says expert commentator Katie Fehrenbacher at earth2tech. We love Katie’s reporting and have learned a great deal about the grid industry from […]
Smart meters touted for ability to help conserve, but critics are skeptical
Smart meters touted for ability to help conserve, but critics are skeptical Argus Leader Thom Gabrukiewicz November 10, 2009 Empowering electric customers to save money through conservation is the government’s great hope for smart metering, but not everyone buys into the technology. Some have concerns about just who would benefit financially, consumer or utilities. Others […]
New 'Smart' Electrical Meters Raise Privacy Issues
New ‘Smart’ Electrical Meters Raise Privacy Issues Agence France Presse By Daniel Silva Friday, November 6, 2009 MADRID (AFP) – The new “smart meters” utilities are installing in homes around the world to reduce energy use raise fresh privacy issues because of the wealth of information about consumer habits they reveal, experts said Friday. The […]
How Privacy (Or Lack of It) Could Sabatoge the Grid
How Privacy (Or Lack of It) Could Sabatoge the Grid SmartGridNews.com By Jules Polonetsky and Christopher Wolf In October, President Obama announced $3.4 billion in federal grants to help build our nation’s Smart Grid. The President said that the technology that will make up the Smart Grid will make the nation’s power transmission system more […]
Privacy and the Smart Grid: New Frontiers, New Challenges
Today, Jules is in Madrid presenting at “Privacy by Design: The Definitive Workshop” on privacy issues and the Smart Grid. While upgrading our power system by introducing two-way data flows could lead to a cleaner environment, reduced power costs, and more reliable utility service, there are data privacy issues that must be addressed if consumers […]
A privacy ombudsman for the smart grid?
http://www.stumbleupon.com/s/#1MECwn/www.treehugger.com/files/2009/10/smart-grid-privacy-issues-big-brother.php/
53 Billion Euro in Savings Possible from Deployment of Smart Meters in the EU – If Utilities Control Your Power Usage.
The Brattle Group, a leading consultancy with a focus on the smart grid, recently issued a *report* (expiered) stating the following: “Quantifying and stressing the environmental benefits of dynamic tariffs, ensuring transparent and adequate financial rewards and offering customers a lower flat tariff in return for providing “automatic” demand response could help boost customer participation.” […]
MSNBC's Red Tape Chronicles: What will talking power meters say about you?
What will talking power meters say about you? MSNBC’s Red Tape Chronicles By Bob Sullivan October 9, 2009 Would you sign up for a discount with your power company in exchange for surrendering control of your thermostat? What if it means that, one day, your auto insurance company will know that you regularly arrive home […]
Kudos to Rebecca Herold on Smart Grid Work…
Rebecca Herold, the newest member of our smart grid privacy working group, was a lead drafter of the Smart Grid Privacy Impact Assessment released today by NIST. At her site, she provides some of the background to the drafting process, and includes some key material that didn’t make it in to the final document. Kudo’s […]