“This is private equipment owned and operated by BrightCurrent,” he insisted.
“I purchased this system with my own money,” I shouted, stepping forward.
“No,” Travis said, turning his cold eyes toward me. “You purchased the electricity it produces. The hardware remains part of our proprietary, managed network.”
I had never heard of such a term in my life. Travis reached into his pocket, pulled out a digital tablet, and opened a contract. He scrolled down and tapped the screen, displaying my electronic signature at the bottom.
According to the document displayed on his screen, BrightCurrent retained permanent, unrestricted access to my roof, my inverter, my home network, and my main electrical panel.
“I never signed any such agreement,” I protested.
My original contract when I bought the system had been a standard twelve-page document. This digital version contained forty-seven pages. A single clause, cleverly inserted deep within the text after installation, authorized perpetual data collection from any smart devices connected to my home Wi-Fi network.
That included my security cameras, my smartphone, my front door smart locks, and my indoor motion sensors.
June immediately radioed dispatch for backup. Travis began slamming the rear doors of his truck shut. “You are interfering with licensed energy infrastructure.”
Helen pointed urgently toward his heavy-duty equipment case resting on the truck bed. “Ask him why he carries three independent cellular transmitters.”