British Think-Tank Warns Smart Meters Susceptible to Terrorist Attacks

Susanne Posel, Contributor
Activist Post

The Foundation for Information Policy Research (FIPR), a think-tank for Internet policy in Britain that facilitates “understanding and dialogue between business, government and NGOs across Europe”, is warning the UK government that their ability to tap into homes via smart meters is allowing the possibility for that information to be seized by hackers, and used against the energy corporations during fuel shortages that may happen in the future.

FIPR is urging that this information may be used as blackmail or fuel for a hostile attack against the UK government by a foreign power or terrorist group. This information would be most likely sold to identity thieves as well as able to be manipulated by energy corporations.

Smart meters have the capacity to spy on you in your home. They collect data on the electrical usage in your home, then that information is remotely sent to a central database at your utilities corporation.

Caroline Speilman, UK Environment Secretary, has been using smart meters to force families to conserve water through monitored usage and price gouging.

The House of Lords of Agriculture, Fisheries and Environment EU Sub-Committee released a report calling for a price hike for water. Lord Carter added:

Having taken our water resources for granted for so long, we must start looking at ways in which we can protect the quality and availability in the face of challenges such as climate change and population growth. Price increases may well be an inevitable part of helping to secure our water supplies.

Ross Anderson, Cambridge University computer science professor and chairman of FIPR, warns that:

Once you have the ability to turn off meters remotely, then it becomes a strategic vulnerability. If the Iranians or Chinese want to attack Britain, they could do so easily through smart meters. This is the modern day equivalent of a nuclear strike.

British Gas has installed over 400,000 smart meters in homes across the UK and has plans to install more by 2019.

The plan, authored by former Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and supported by former Liberal Chris Huhne contend that smart meters assist customers in reducing energy expenditures and meet environmental targets of the UK government.

Nick Pickles, director of Big Brother Watch, says:

We are witnessing a massive intrusion into what goes on in millions of homes. This comes when there is increasing surveillance of our society. Smart meters are a step towards our homes becoming the next line of attack for state snoopers.

Anna Fielder, member of Privacy International and former senior policy advisor to the National Consumer Council in the UK, states:

This could mean risks of identity theft, real time surveillance, unwanted publicity, profiling or targeting for commercial purposes and also potential discriminatory practices by power companies targeting tariffs to maximize profits. As these are essentially communication devices, transmitting data over a network, there are the associated security risks if the right measures are not taken.

Susanne Posel is the Chief Editor of Occupy Corporatism. Our alternative news site is dedicated to reporting the news as it actually happens; not as it is spun by the corporately funded mainstream media. You can find us on our Facebook page.