The protection of its customers' personal data was always at the forefront of its operations, Enemalta said referring to recent issues regarding Smart Meters.

It said in a statement the necessary measures had been taken with regards to the collection of data from smart meters to protect the privacy of the customer.

The Smart Meter system uses secure encrypted communication and data recording techniques which are both highly robust and resilient to any outside attacks. This means data cannot be accessed by third parties directly.

While it wastrue that Smart Meters could monitor electricity consumption at periods of the day, Enemalta's only purposes for collecting the data were the billing of electricity and the maintenance and development of its distribution network, it said,

Any misuse of personal data, Enemalta said, was already strictly regulated by the Data protection Act.