French electricity supplier EDF has written to customers on its regulated Tarif Bleu tariff asking for their personal data, to seek permission to share it with competitors. Finally, We explain to you how to react.
If you are on the tariff, you may have received a message requesting authorization (or refusal) from EDF to “share your data with other electricity suppliers who request it”.
The message was highlighted by consumer group UFC-Que Choisir, which said EDF started sending the first messages digitally from April 4, then sent letters by post to people to which he does not have an email address.
Why are EDF messages sent?
EDF complies with a decision of February 22 issued by the Competition Authority.
In the judgment, the authority sentenced “the company, and its subsidiaries Dalkia Smart Building, Dalkia, Citelum and CHAM, for having implemented practices of abuse of a dominant position”, to the tune of 300 million euros .
This “dominant position” was due to EDF’s status as the operator in charge of supplying electricity at the regulated sales tariff (TRV)”.
The authority specifies that EDF relied on its “historical monopoly” to use the data of its existing customers to “develop the marketing of its market offers – in particular gas and energy services”.
As part of the judgment, the company has therefore undertaken to make its “TRV Bleu customer file available to alternative electricity suppliers who request it”, specified the Competition Authority.
To do this, however, it must have the customers’ permission; hence the posts.
Should I reply to the message?
Yes, UFC-Que Choisir recommends it, otherwise some of your contact details may be shared by default, without your express permission (see “What happens if I don’t answer?” below).
You can choose two answers. First, you can deny permission to share your data with competing vendors who request it, or second, you can allow data sharing if or when asked.
Allowing your data to be shared may mean you will be approached by EDF competitors in the future. However, if you do not wish to be contacted by competitors, you must deny permission to share your data.
Denying permission means that EDF cannot share any of your data and you will not be approached by competitors offering alternative electricity deals.
What data does EDF need my permission to share?
EDF needs your express permission to share:
- Marital status.
- Last name and first name.
- Landline and mobile phone numbers.
- E-mail address.
- Billing address.
- Whether you have an electric heater.
What happens if I don’t answer?
As UFC-Que Choisir explains: [En l’absence de réponse] EDF will by default share data that does not specifically require your consent”.
This may include:
- Your address
- The power to which you are subscribed in kilovolt-amperes (kVA)
- Your annual consumption volume over the past two years
- The commercial name of the tariff option subscribed
- Your meter type (Linky or other).
Do I have an interest in being approached by competitors?
Sometimes yes, although the current energy situation in France means that competitive agreements are unlikely at this time.
Earlier this month, UFC-Que Choisir declared that the current market is “completely blocked”. More precisely because of the price increases following the war in Ukraine.
Alternative providers are less and less widespread. And they are less and less able to offer competitive rates. While the market opened up to competition 15 years ago, specifies the group.
Elisabeth Chesnais, journalist at UFC-Que Choisir, finally declared: “Since the dazzling economic recovery that we have experienced after the start of the Covid pandemic, the world population, both individuals and businesses, has greatly increased its electricity consumption, which has driven prices up in a rather unprecedented way.
She said: “Faced with these price increases, alternative providers have either raised their prices sharply or gone out of business. This means that consumers have less choice.
However, consumers will always have EDF to fall back on. Said Ms Chesnais, as the government has designated the supplier as a “last resort”.
The journalist adds that she recommends that consumers return to EDF’s regulated tariffs. Because they are not subject to market price variations.
What is the TRV Blue Tariff tariff?
The Blue Tariff is also known as the Regulated Sales Tariff (TRV). This is a regulated tariff for the sale of electricity, set by the public authorities. But, more information can be found on the EDF website.
There are three options for the tariff:
- Basic, which means that the price of electricity per kWh is always the same. Moreover, regardless of the day and time of your energy consumption. Which is better if your electricity consumption is low.
- Off-peak hours, which means you get a better price per kWh for eight hours a day. Which is better if you use a lot of electrical appliances.
- Tempo, which means that the price per kWh varies depending on the day or the hour. And this one works best if you use a minimum of 9 kVA and don’t use electricity for heating.
