The Government is planning to install Smart Meters in every home and workplace in the UK to provide real-time monitoring of our gas and electricity usage.

The meters will transmit our information (how and what we’re using) every 30 minutes via pulsed microwaves to a hub in the street which will pass the information on to a new central Data and Communications Company.

Some areas have already started installation. The scheme raises concerns not only about health but also about privacy and security, as it will allow the service providers (and advertising companies) to see:

* What time we get up and have breakfast
* When we go to the loo at night
* How often and for how long we watch TV
* When we go on holiday, or otherwise leave our house empty

If you want to add your voice against this development and/or to demand that an alternative option is made available, add your signature to the petition at: Smart Meters Petition

There is also information on the petition site about how to screen a smart meter to reduce exposure, should all else fail and you're forced to have one.

Hacking expert predicts catastrophic failure of smart energy grid within three years (3 May 2012)
Not only is smart meter technology bad for your health, it is also highly vulnerable to cyber attacks, and the technology is so digitally centralised that hackers are sure to "crack the code," so to speak, and eventually bring down the system.

How privacy-conscious consumers are fooling, hacking smart meters (15 Jul 2012)
Experts reveal how easy it is to hack smart meters.

Do smart meters spy on your electricity usage? (16 Aug 2012)
Despite all the hype about smart meters, privacy and health concerns continue to cause headlines.

Smart meters cause house fires in Philadelphia (13 Sept 2012)
Overheating is yet another problem to be added to the health and security issues that have already been flagged up in respect of smart meters.