SSE provide an apology over advertising

Jonboy_1984

Are SSE still at this game? I had to complain several years Ago because they had taken my mobile number and started messaging regularly about smart meters despite clear no marketing choices being made…

A complaint that I felt using this data in this way without permission was non-compliant with GDPR was adhered too and stopped all further messages.

[Deleted User]

Jonboy_1984 said:

Are SSE still at this game? I had to complain several years Ago because they had taken my mobile number and started messaging regularly about smart meters despite clear no marketing choices being made…

A complaint that I felt using this data in this way without permission was non-compliant with GDPR was adhered too and stopped all further messages.

Several years ago: how is this relevant to a recent call about smart metering? Suppliers are regulated by Ofgem; they are set smart meter rollout targets and penalised if they do not achieve them, and they are required by Ofgem to engage with their customers. Most suppliers will allow an ‘opt out’ from smart metering calls for 12 months.

As they are only contacting their consumers, I fail to see how this would be a breach of GDPR if it is done in a proper way.

Exodi

jacko220 said:

dunstonh said:

jacko220 said:

SSE customers complain about smart meters showing 'frightening' energy bills of up to £42,000 | The Sun

Rubbish headline that does not match reality.  Headline says smart meters but article says IHDs.  It was the IHD rather than the smart meter.

Is that not really a question of semantics, 

Hardly semantics, there's a gigantic difference.

If the actual meter itself was reading that you've suddenly used 400,000+ kWh of gas, most people would be tripping over themselves in sheer terror to report what looks like an incredibly large gas leak. As you are billed on usage, most people would also be sick with fear of the £42,000 bill that they're about to receive, given that you are explicitly billed off your meter readings.

By contrast, the IHD is merely a guide. They are notoriously inaccurate, and often take months to update on rate changes. My energy provider, EON Next, puts these on their page: "The In-Home Display is designed to highlight areas of energy use (and more importantly wastage). It's not intended to replace your more accurate meter."

A lot of people, after seeing their IHD read £42,000, would be take a cursory glance at their meter, then breath easy knowing it's still reading correctly and it's an IHD glitch.

SnakePlissken

Dolor said:

Jonboy_1984 said:

Are SSE still at this game? I had to complain several years Ago because they had taken my mobile number and started messaging regularly about smart meters despite clear no marketing choices being made…

A complaint that I felt using this data in this way without permission was non-compliant with GDPR was adhered too and stopped all further messages.

Several years ago: how is this relevant to a recent call about smart metering? Suppliers are regulated by Ofgem; they are set smart meter rollout targets and penalised if they do not achieve them, and they are required by Ofgem to engage with their customers. Most suppliers will allow an ‘opt out’ from smart metering calls for 12 months.

As they are only contacting their consumers, I fail to see how this would be a breach of GDPR if it is done in a proper way.

In GDPR data should only be kept for the shortest time possible and only for purpose of why data was originally stored.
Any use of the stored data for other purposes is a breach.

Data used for customers should not be used for marketing purposes unless it has been previously agreed to by the person whose data is held.
The person can also change their mind on data being used for marketing at any point if they so choose.

If data was misused its a breach with prospect of very large fines.

A companies data protection officer will be aware of this and by law every company must have a designated data protection officer.
Larger companies or organisations may have an Information Governance team that will deal with all GDPR or Caldicott issues.

MattMattMattUK

SnakePlissken said:

Dolor said:

Jonboy_1984 said:

Are SSE still at this game? I had to complain several years Ago because they had taken my mobile number and started messaging regularly about smart meters despite clear no marketing choices being made…

A complaint that I felt using this data in this way without permission was non-compliant with GDPR was adhered too and stopped all further messages.

Several years ago: how is this relevant to a recent call about smart metering? Suppliers are regulated by Ofgem; they are set smart meter rollout targets and penalised if they do not achieve them, and they are required by Ofgem to engage with their customers. Most suppliers will allow an ‘opt out’ from smart metering calls for 12 months.

As they are only contacting their consumers, I fail to see how this would be a breach of GDPR if it is done in a proper way.

In GDPR data should only be kept for the time and purpose it is required for why data was stored.
Any use of stored data for other purposes is a breach.

Data used for customers should not be used for marketing purposes unless it has been previously agreed to by the person whose data is held.
The person can also change their mind on data being used for marketing at any poiny if they so choose.

If data was misused its a breach with prospect of very large fines.

A companies data protection officer will be aware of this and by law every company must have a designated data protection officer.
Larger companies or organisations may have an Information Governance team that will deal with all GDPR or Caldicott issues.

Smart meter installation is not marketing, the rollout is a regulatory requirement, therefore your argument fails at the first hurdle.

jacko220

Exodi said:

jacko220 said:

dunstonh said:

jacko220 said:

SSE customers complain about smart meters showing 'frightening' energy bills of up to £42,000 | The Sun

Rubbish headline that does not match reality.  Headline says smart meters but article says IHDs.  It was the IHD rather than the smart meter.

Is that not really a question of semantics, 

Hardly semantics, there's a gigantic difference.

If the actual meter itself was reading that you've suddenly used 400,000+ kWh of gas, most people would be tripping over themselves in sheer terror to report what looks like an incredibly large gas leak. As you are billed on usage, most people would also be sick with fear of the £42,000 bill that they're about to receive, given that you are explicitly billed off your meter readings.

By contrast, the IHD is merely a guide. They are notoriously inaccurate, and often take months to update on rate changes. My energy provider, EON Next, puts these on their page: "The In-Home Display is designed to highlight areas of energy use (and more importantly wastage). It's not intended to replace your more accurate meter."

A lot of people, after seeing their IHD read £42,000, would be take a cursory glance at their meter, then breath easy knowing it's still reading correctly and it's an IHD glitch.

 The IHD is merely a guide, then why have it if is wrong, your last paragraph, I take a cursory glance at my meter whenever I want too, I am able to predict my energy usage for the next year, I am never far out. My light bulb is on, I know that I am consuming energy.

dunstonh

Thank you for contacting Ofgem regarding energy pricing. I appreciate this is a stressful situation for you.

Did they really say that?  My goodness, they really have to cater for the snowflakes now.

MattMattMattUK

jacko220 said:

Exodi said:

jacko220 said:

dunstonh said:

jacko220 said:

SSE customers complain about smart meters showing 'frightening' energy bills of up to £42,000 | The Sun

Rubbish headline that does not match reality.  Headline says smart meters but article says IHDs.  It was the IHD rather than the smart meter.

Is that not really a question of semantics, 

Hardly semantics, there's a gigantic difference.

If the actual meter itself was reading that you've suddenly used 400,000+ kWh of gas, most people would be tripping over themselves in sheer terror to report what looks like an incredibly large gas leak. As you are billed on usage, most people would also be sick with fear of the £42,000 bill that they're about to receive, given that you are explicitly billed off your meter readings.

By contrast, the IHD is merely a guide. They are notoriously inaccurate, and often take months to update on rate changes. My energy provider, EON Next, puts these on their page: "The In-Home Display is designed to highlight areas of energy use (and more importantly wastage). It's not intended to replace your more accurate meter."

A lot of people, after seeing their IHD read £42,000, would be take a cursory glance at their meter, then breath easy knowing it's still reading correctly and it's an IHD glitch.

 The IHD is merely a guide, then why have it if is wrong, your last paragraph, I take a cursory glance at my meter whenever I want too, I am able to predict my energy usage for the next year, I am never far out. My light bulb is on, I know that I am consuming energy.

The more important question is, is anyone at home.

jacko220

dunstonh said:

Thank you for contacting Ofgem regarding energy pricing. I appreciate this is a stressful situation for you.

Did they really say that?  My goodness, they really have to cater for the snowflakes now.

What has it got to do with Snow.?

macman

As above: 'marketing' means to try to sell you something you haven't requested.
Smart meters are not sold, as the customer is not charged for them (at least, not directly), so I don't see how they can come under the category of a marketing communications opt-out?