A Message to Public Schools and Public Libraries about Wireless Devices

Posted on August 21, 2015 by SkyVision Solutions

Wireless SymbolRonald M. Powell, Ph.D. [1] has recently distributed two documents related to health concerns about wireless devices.  Although the technical content of each document is almost identical, one is intended as a message to Public Schools and the other is intended as a message to Public Libraries.

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‘Dragnet’ Data Collections by Smart Meters and an ‘Infrastructure of Surveillance’

Posted on August 17, 2015 by SkyVision Solutions

… And What Your Utility Company Doesn’t Want You to Know about Smart Meters

by K.T. Weaver, SkyVision Solutions 

Smart Meter Big Data Dragnet CollectionIn what was likely a little publicized workshop conducted in November 2013 by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on privacy and security issues concerning the Internet of Things (IoT), I found some invaluable insight offered in the FTC video archives on the subject of smart meters.

A presentation was made at the FTC workshop by Lee Tien, senior staff attorney for the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF).  Key statements in the presentation and follow-up panel discussion include the following:

“I’m not really a cheerleader for the Internet of Things.  To me, it raises a huge number of privacy and security issues, to the extent that IoT devices entail ubiquitous collection of large amounts of data about what people do.”

“And you are also concerned about — or should be concerned about the environmental collection, sort of a non-targeted dragnet collection from devices in the environment.”

“Smart meters are a good example.” Continue reading →

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Governments Planning to Use Smart Meters for the Collection of “Population Statistics”

Posted on August 14, 2015 by SkyVision Solutions
by K.T. Weaver, SkyVision Solutions 

Population Statistics Data CollectionAs recently stated by Lee Tien, senior staff attorney for the Electronic Frontier Foundation, “Few other types of data get inside the home the way that electrical usage data does.”  Governments and corporations everywhere are recognizing this fact as more and more smart meters are deployed into the population.

A new paper has just been published entitled, “The Role of Digital Trace Data in Supporting the Collection of Population Statistics – the Case for Smart Metered Electricity Consumption Data.”  This paper demonstrates how technocrats are continually finding innovative ways to use smart meter ‘big data’ while invading your privacy in the process.  Continue reading →

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“The consequences of deploying bad stuff [smart meters] are dire.”

Posted on August 7, 2015 by SkyVision Solutions
by K.T. Weaver, SkyVision Solutions 

This past week there was a meeting of BlackHat USA 2015 in Las Vegas, where InfoSec professionals met.  As part of a blog article written about this meeting, there was the following updated entry by Steve Ragan who attended the meeting:

Smart Meter Threat Vectors“I had an interesting discussion after getting my badge at DEF CON this afternoon about smart grids.

A friend of mine reminded me of a talk given during BSides Las Vegas last year about securing smart meter infrastructure.  The focus of the talk was BC Hydro, the electric utility in British Columbia, and their move to smart meter adoption, as well as the security risks associated with this upgrade.

Smart meters and ICS [Industrial Control System] security issues are a serious topic in many parts of InfoSec due to their reach into a person’s home and life.  It’s a talk worth watching,…”

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Study Suggests Wireless Devices Linked to Many Health Risks

Posted on August 1, 2015 by SkyVision Solutions
by K.T. Weaver, SkyVision Solutions 

Health Effects from RF ExposureRadiofrequency (RF) emissions from wireless devices are likely linked to a number of health conditions and diseases, such as cancer and various other disorders, a new study suggests.

“Oxidative Mechanisms of Biological Activity of Low-intensity Radiofrequency Radiation,” an article published in Electromagnetic Biology & Medicine, reviews peer-reviewed scientific literature and concludes that low-intensity RF radiation induces biological effects in living cells at the molecular level.

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Smart City/Grid Technocrat Philosophy on Life: “If you are going to travel, travel now.”

Posted on July 29, 2015 by SkyVision Solutions
by K.T. Weaver, SkyVision Solutions 

Smart Grid and Smart City and PrisonsAt this website I have categorized and listed the various risks related to smart grid technology. Beyond that, however, citizens need to be aware of the policies and extremist views that many proponents of smart cities and smart grids are actually trying to implement.  These views are those of elitist technocrats who strive to create a society based upon maximum technological efficiency.

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Utilities Remove Burned Smart Meter Evidence from Fire Scenes

Posted on July 28, 2015 by SkyVision Solutions

NV Smart Meter Fire PhotoWe’ve had anecdotal evidence for quite some time that utility companies remove burned smart meters from fire scenes before fire investigators can determine the source of home or business electrical fires.  This was more officially reported this past March when “Quebec City firefighters asked Hydro-Québec to leave smart meters alone.”

Quebec City’s fire department says Hydro-Québec has been too quick to remove smart meters from the scenes of fires where faulty wiring may be an issue.  “A fire is considered a crime scene and at a crime scene evidence should be left alone,” said France Voiselle, a department spokeswoman.

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When Water Gets Inside Smart Meters, “All Bets Are Off.”

Posted on July 28, 2015 by SkyVision Solutions
by K.T. Weaver, SkyVision Solutions

SmartMeter for Water ImageIn June it was reported based upon a Chicago Tribune investigation that a Chicago Suburb Claims Smart Water Meters Don’t Overcharge. “They Misrecord.”  The Tribune has continued to investigate this issue and has found problems with smart water meters in another Chicago suburb, this time in Aurora.

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Smart Meter Time Varying Pricing Can Lead to “Catastrophic Consequences” for the Grid

Posted on July 27, 2015 by SkyVision Solutions
by K.T. Weaver, SkyVision Solutions

Catastrophic Smart Meter SynchronizationA new study has been released based upon research at Bremen University that reveals that the use of time varying rates implemented through the mass deployment of smart meters can lead to consumer demand avalanches resulting in smart grid blackouts.

The study has the somewhat long title name of, “Econophysics of adaptive power markets:  When a market does not dampen fluctuations but amplifies them.”

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Smart meter “issues are of great concern, not just locally, but also nationally and internationally,” cautions Judge

Posted on July 26, 2015 by SkyVision Solutions
by K.T. Weaver, SkyVision Solutions

Court GavelIn May we reported on a positive story that a Michigan Court Orders Justification of Smart Meter Refusal Fees.  The Court document for this case stated that:

“…because of the numerous issues raised on appeal … concerning tariffs for customers who elect to opt-out of the AMI program, we remand those issues to the PSC and direct the PSC to conduct a contested case hearing on the opt-out tariff. … “We direct the PSC to issue a detailed opinion with sufficient facts and conclusions of law that allows this Court to review the entire scope of the unusual opt-out tariff.”

In a motion for reconsideration of the previously reported decision, the Michigan Public Service Commission (PSC) requested that the state of Michigan forego any further hearings for this case. The PSC contended that no further hearings were necessary concerning the advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) smart meter program.  The PSC implied that the Court’s prior remand instructions, in essence, exceeded the scope of its responsibility.  Specifically, the PSC contended that it had conducted sufficient hearings as related to “cost of service principles” on all issues and it need not conduct further hearings.

In an order issued July 22, 2015, the PSC’s motion for reconsideration was denied by the Court.  Continue reading →

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