It's understandable that some people don't want the world to know
what they do online. But could the same apply to data about when they turn on
their washing machines or the way they use their freezers? It seems so.
A study has found that many people in the UK are worried about
having smart meters in their homes because they fear that data about their
personal energy use will be shared.
The UK government says it wants all homes
to have smart meters within five years. These will allow users
to set equipment that only needs energy intermittently – such as washing
machines and freezers – to switch on at times when the grid has spare capacity
and power is cheap.
The meters will save people money, as well as making it easier for
the grid to incorporate fluctuating sources of renewable energy such as wind
and solar power – thus helping to cut greenhouse-gas emissions.
Data shy
But in an online survey of more than 2400 people in the UK, Alexa Spence of
Nottingham University found that a fifth would be "uncomfortable"
with the data sharing needed to do that.
Strangely, she says, people who were worried about their energy
bills were the most fearful, whereas those who were more concerned about
climate change tended to be more amenable to data sharing.
"That did surprise me," Spence says. "I really did
expect to see people [who were] concerned about costs being more accepting of
smart technologies."
People are becoming increasingly aware of the value of their
personal data and privacy, and they often err on the side of caution, Spence
says.
She adds that it is great news that people care enough about
climate change to want smart meters – but a shame that those who worry about
their bills may be reluctant to use these devices, which could save them money.
The government, she concludes, has some persuading to do.
For more details visit Newscientist.com