1) More about cybersecurity that goes beyond hacking smeters but power grids are a significant target. It seems that interconnectivity via the IoT will make this type of attack much easier.
Someone is trying to take entire countries offline and cybersecurity experts say ‘it’s a matter of time because it’s really easy’
- “Hackers used to be most interested in stealing your credit card data. Now they’re looking to hobble major infrastructure like ports, power grids, and cities.
- “The problem people don’t realise is it becomes a weapon of mass destruction. You can take down a whole country. It can be done,” a source tells Business Insider.”
https://www.businessinsider.com/can-hackers-take-entire-countries-offline-2018-12?r=US&IR=T
2) The industry is still trying to figure out how to persuade us to accept smeters and to believe they are beneficial. It seems it is trying to find the “right” psychological approach to take— instead of addressing our real concerns. For example, it appears that if they can make people think that smeters will help the environment, reduce climate change, most people will be willing to accept these things. In fact there are many aspects of smeters that make them less green than analogs. For example, they are made of materials that are dangerous for the environment – plastic, lithium batteries – where analogs are made of glass and metal. Also smeters have short lifespans so must be replaced several times over the span of an analog’s life. There are admissions that some concerns are justified, e.g. privacy and costs. Health concerns (EMR) were not mentioned.
A synthetic view of acceptance and engagement with smart meters in the United States
“Real-time surveillance concerns refer to the ability of a person or group to monitor behavior as it happens, either a utility or a person who has hacked into the network. Information detritus concerns refer to the sale of information to a third party. For instance, the utility could sell this information to other corporations or to law enforcement. This is not uncommon, as companies frequently sell business records, which in most cases in the United States are not covered under the fourth amendment of the constitution [16]. In the E.U., smart meter data is classified as personal data and therefore protected from resale [23]. Physical invasion concerns refer to the ability of anyone in control of real-time data to determine if a property is occupied for the purpose of illegal activity such as burglary or arson. Scholars have suggested that privacy concerns can be reduced by implementing “privacy friendly” alternatives, for instance by decreasing the granularity of the data collected by the smart meter .” section 2.1.1
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214629618301129
3) A bit of a history of 5G technology in the USA – the political support, bent scientists, and plans. We all know that what happens in the USA affects us.
Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association (CTIA) New Year’s “To-Do” List Includes More Small Cell Towers Near Homes
“Most people have never heard of the CTIA and have no idea what they do. If you’re not okay with small cell towers being installed in residential yards and all over your community,[1] it’s in your best interest to get familiar with their mission as well as their influence over our government agencies, employees, and elected officials…
By removing these regulatory barriers, telecom companies may now put wireless infrastructure – including small cell towers – almost wherever they want. This includes in front of homes, schools, hospitals, historic districts, etc. So if any of this is being installed near your home and throughout your community, CTIA has had much to do with this. Of course, they didn’t do it alone. So here’s what we figure would be a new year’s “to-do” list by the seemingly heartless folks employed by CTIA:”
Sharon Noble, Director, Coalition to Stop Smart Meters
“Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored.” — Aldous Huxley