ESB's refusal to give householder details of smart meter data 'heightens suspicions about surveillance'

More than 1.8 million smart meters — which allow for automatic readings and the routine uploading of data from each device — have been installed across Ireland over the past six years.

Ireland’s electricity network agency has been told it risks encouraging “suspicions about surveillance” in refusing to release details of the data recorded by its smart meter network.

Privacy advocacy group Digital Rights Ireland has said a lack of transparency regarding the smart meter network will serve to increase distrust in the machines among the public after the ESB refused to release the data stored on an individual meter following a request to that effect by the Wicklow household in question.