The Globe and Mail reports that BC's privacy commissioner is working with utility company BC Hydro to ensure that privacy is protected as smart meters are rolled out. Smart meters will track consumers' energy usage data and report it back to the utility on an hourly basis. Advocacy groups have questioned how that data could be used and who besides the utility may seek access to it--such as divorce lawyers, law enforcement or insurance companies who may want to gain a "snapshot of people's behavior." A spokeswoman for BC Privacy Commissioner Elizabeth Denham said the office is working with BC Hydro to consider smart meters' possible impacts.
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