Billy Privacy Policy

About this Privacy Policy 

This Privacy Policy explains how the Electricity Authority (we, us) collects, uses and safeguards personal information in connection with the Billy website and related services (Website). 

The Privacy Notice on the Authorities website (https://ea.govt.nz/External Link, ) continues to apply to all information collected by the Authority and should be read in conjunction with this Privacy Policy. Where there is any inconsistency or conflict between this Privacy Policy and the Privacy Notice, this Privacy Policy will prevail to the extent of that inconsistency or conflict. 

By using the Website, you agree to this Privacy Policy.

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes take effect when posted on the Website. Your continued use of the Website after any change means you accept the updated policy.

You are not required to provide us with any personal information that we request via the Website.  However, if you do not do so, we may not be able to provide the Billy comparison services to you. 

What we collect

The personal information we collect depends on how you use the Website. It may include:

• your address, 
• your email address,
• your gas and / or electricity installation control point (ICP),
• energy consumption data such as energy cost, billing period, daily charges and usage quantities, and
• information about your household such as the number of occupants, typical occupancy during the day, your main methods of heating, electric vehicle ownership and solar panel usage. 

If you upload a bill, we will extract relevant information from it to help us provide more accurate comparisons.

How we collect personal information

We usually collect personal information directly from you when you use the Website and enter details about your household and usage, or upload a bill.  We may also collect information from industry sources such as the Electricity Registry or the Gas Registry, and from your current or previous electricity or gas retailer to obtain ICP and usage data needed to provide the service.

The Authority also collects information through our Website through cookies. Cookies are small pieces of information that are stored on a user’s computer. This information may be used to help us understand your interests and preferences, and to market Billy’s services to you. For example, we may use this information to display targeted advertising about Billy’s services to you on our website and on other websites you visit. Cookies can be disabled via your web browser; however doing so may limit your access to some of the Website’s content and features. We may use cookies to track non-personally identifiable information such as usage and volume statistics, for research purposes in order to further develop our Website. 

If you provide us with personal information about another person, you confirm that they have authorised you to do so and that you have informed them of this Privacy Policy.

How we use personal information

We use the above personal information to provide you with the comparison services you request. 

We also use it to: 

• conduct market analysis and service evaluation, 
• carry out audits, impact assessments and public reporting using aggregated or de‑identified information, and
• monitor usage, measure performance, test new features and carry out improvement, quality assurance and model validation for the comparison tool.

In addition, we use aggregated and anonymous information (with identifiable characteristics removed) for statistical and research purposes.

Disclosure of personal information

We may share personal information with partners, energy and gas retailers, and our contractors and service providers (including IT service providers) to help us operate the Website and provide services. 

If you ask us to put you in touch with a retailer or to start a switch, we will share the personal information reasonably needed for that purpose with the relevant retailer, which may include your address, your ICP and energy consumption data and estimates, and information about your household. Once disclosed, the retailer will handle your information under its own privacy policy and terms. We recommend you read and ensure you agree with those terms and privacy policy before asking us to put you in touch. 

Other websites 

Our Website may provide links to other websites for your convenience and information. These websites are outside our control and are not covered by this Privacy Policy.  If you access other websites using the links provided, the operators of these sites may collect information from you which will be used by them in accordance with their privacy policy.  We are not responsible for the privacy policies or the content of any third party website.  

Contact us

You have the right to request access to and correction of your personal information under the Privacy Act 2020. To exercise these rights, or if you have any questions or requests relating to this Privacy Policy, please contact us using the contact details available on the Website.

This Privacy Policy was last updated on 24 February 2026.