A recent decree, numbered 2026-339 and published on May 5, 2026, has raised concerns about data collection practices by Enedis, France's electricity distribution company. Initially, social media users misinterpreted the decree as allowing Enedis to collect detailed consumption data from 35 million households. However, this was quickly corrected by a fact-check from AFP in early September, clarifying that the decree only permits an experiment involving a small sample of around 6,600 subscribers. The Energy Regulation Commission confirmed that no legal text authorizes the collection of data from all households with smart meters. The decree allows EDF, the national electricity company, to test new adjustable tariff models with 6,600 households. The goal is to send "price signals"—variations in electricity prices based on the time of day—to encourage users to shift their consumption to less demanding periods. To evaluate the impact, Enedis collects participants' load curves, which show consumption at 30-minute intervals, and sends this data to EDF. Participants are randomly selected among customers on the Base option of the regulated tariff and are notified at least four months in advance, with three months to decline. Their bills will not exceed what they would normally pay, and the experiment runs from October 1, 2026, to October 1, 2027. The real concern lies in what data the Linky smart meter sends automatically. According to the National Institute for Consumer Affairs, the meter transmits three levels of data. The first level is active by default: each night, it sends the daily consumption and maximum power used to Enedis, with a 36-month history for billing and power adjustments. The second level is the 30-minute load curve, which only transmits if the subscriber explicitly agrees. The decree does not authorize this transmission for the 35 million households with Linky meters. The third level is less known: since July 1, 2018, the meter records a detailed load curve locally in the home, with a five-month memory. However, for meters installed before this date, this local data does not exist. Enedis can also remotely control the meter, including reducing power to prevent outages. While this might raise concerns, it is primarily for network management, not for monitoring private lives. Some households, such as those with solar panels in self-consumption mode, may benefit from activating detailed data collection, as it allows better management of energy production and use. Enedis has previously mistaken solar installations for fraud, but this detailed data is essential for EDF’s adjustable tariff models. While these models have been debated, they can help reduce electricity costs at a time when bills are rising. Users can manage their data through the Enedis customer portal, where they can view their consumption history, activate or refuse detailed data collection, and download their usage indices. It is important to note that refusing data collection does not mean refusing the meter itself, which will eventually cost those who oppose it. Additionally, if the meter was installed before July 2018, no historical load curve from past months will be available. A more sensitive issue is the storage location of data. Enedis is reportedly considering moving part of its applications to Amazon’s cloud, a move that has raised concerns about data sovereignty. However, the decree does not include any public deliberation by the CNIL (French data protection authority) specifically for this test, and Enedis has not officially addressed the rumors. Crucially, without user action, the meter only sends daily consumption and peak power data, with the detailed load curve remaining under the user's control. Ultimately, the decision to activate detailed data collection depends on individual needs and interests.