see my post number 13.
A little more on the data collection. By analysing the power used and when its used it can be worked out if you work, what time you get up, leave the house, when you get back, how many live in the house,how many females, the age of people in the house, your cooking habits. All valuable data to be sold to advertisers
And you don't "Have" to have one when changing provider. Telling people they do is more sneaky decitful behaviour to get people to have them, more reason not to have one.