Monopolistic businesses and firms are price setters and are generally the only option for consumers because there is no competition and limited substitutes available. At times, these monopolistic businesses abuse their power and force certain elements and changes upon consumers; this can be viewed as being unethical. A prime example of this was when BC Hydro was placing smart meters outside of every BC residents’ home without allowing the consumers to opt-out. BC Hydro was essentially taking full advantage of its power in the marketplace as a monopoly. This can be viewed as being unethical because BC Hydro was aware that consumers do not have any other source or alternative and eventually would end up giving in to the smart meter program. There wasn’t too much protest against these smart meters, however because consumers were not well aware of the capabilities of smart meters, as they were not exposed by BC Hydro.

These smart meters are extremely technically advanced and are capable to record conversations undertaken in families’ homes. Why didn’t BC Hydro inform the consumer base that these smart meters do have very high capabilities to record and store personal information? Even if they would have exposed this, the consumers would have no choice but to have a smart meter installed outside their home because this is a need for them and no one else is legally allowed to provide the service that BC Hydro does.