Smart Meter Data Privacy Protection Act
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To President
- Became Law
Overview
The Smart Meter Data Privacy Protection Act aims to limit how state-regulated electric utilities can use data collected from smart meters. It prohibits utilities from using personal consumption data for commercial purposes or licensing it, requiring them to report on their data usage to the Federal Trade Commission. If violations occur, consumers will receive credits on their bills, and the FTC can enforce the law. States also have the authority to take legal action to protect residents’ privacy.
Key provisions
- Utilities cannot use personal consumption data for commercial purposes.
- Utilities must report annually to the FTC on data usage.
- Consumers who are harmed by misuse of data will receive bill credits.
- The FTC can pursue violations under existing Federal Trade Commission Act regulations.
- States can sue on behalf of residents to enforce the law.
- The FTC can intervene in state lawsuits related to data privacy.
- Utilities can only use data for authorized operational purposes like billing and grid reliability.
- The Act establishes a federal baseline for smart meter data privacy, without preempting stronger state laws.
Who is affected
- Electric consumers
- State-regulated electric utilities
- The Federal Trade Commission
- State Attorneys General
- Utility regulators
Notable changes
Bill text
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Sponsors
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