Portland General Electric Company Privacy Policy

Portland General Electric Company (“PGE”) believes the confidentiality of customer information is extremely important. PGE values our customer relationships and recognizes that when you provide personal information to PGE, you trust PGE to protect this information. PGE is committed to safeguarding the privacy of individuals and businesses with respect to nonpublic, personal, and financial information. This Privacy Policy addresses information obtained directly from PGE customers, website visitors, and mobile application users. This policy is intended to inform you about how PGE handles the customer information PGE collects. PGE will not sell or rent the information collected at this website to any party or share it in ways different from those disclosed in this statement. This Privacy Policy refers to PGE’s Mobile Application Privacy Policy. To view the full Privacy Policy regarding PGE’s Mobile Application, refer to Mobile App Privacy Policy.

Information you provide to PGE

When applying for electric service or managing your PGE account, whether through our web service or through our Customer Service department, PGE will ask for certain information such as your name, service address, mailing address, phone number and place of employment. In this process, PGE will also collect some form of more personal information, such as your date of birth, Social Security Number, driver’s license number, or other government issued identification numbers. When submitting payment through our web service or Customer Service department, your payment information is collected (e.g., payment card details such as payment card number, expiration date and security code, bank routing and account number) for payment processing, some of which is collected and stored by our third-party payment processor on PGE’s behalf.

As a security measure, when you call to speak to PGE Customer Service, PGE will use your identification information to validate your identity to ensure we are speaking to the customer of record. While conducting business with you, PGE will collect information regarding our interactions and transactions related to your account(s) with PGE.

You must provide certain information to create an online account or download and use PGE’s Mobile Application, including your name, address, phone number, email address, username, password, security questions and answers, and other registration data.

You must also provide certain information to participate in certain PGE programs, including but not limited to, details about your home, such as: dwelling age, size and type, details about appliances and other energy-related equipment used in the home or building. Please see the specific program details to understand what information may be gathered by that program and how that information may be used by PGE.

Information PGE collects

PGE collects anonymous, aggregate information from all visitors to our website. As a visitor to our website, your identity will remain anonymous unless you register for online account services, enter a sweepstakes, or enroll in a program. In such cases you will be notified that certain information, such as your name, address, phone number, email address and your PGE account number, is required. We may tie this information to your profile to statistically analyze website usage; to improve our content and product offerings; and to customize our website’s content, layout, and services. We may also use such information to deliver content to you that, in some cases, is targeted to your interests, such as banners and messages concerning new programs, services, promotions and events. In addition, this information may be used to provide email messages suited to your needs and interests. See the “Communications” section (below) for opt-out instructions.

This information, along with information gathered from third party sources, is used to generate statistical reports about the general use of our website based on your preferences. We store information that we collect through log files to create a profile of our users. Log files record internet protocol (IP) addresses, browser types, internet service provider (ISP), referring/exit pages, platform type, date/time stamp, and number of clicks. We use this data to analyze trends, administer the PGE website/Mobile Application, track customer movement through the PGE website/Mobile Application and gather broad demographic information for aggregate use. We also store replays of web sessions that allow us to assess issues with the user experience. Restricted data or Personally Identifiable Information (PII) (e.g., SSN, driver's license, payment information, etc.) is blocked from these replays. Other customer data (e.g., name, address, phone number, etc.) is fully encrypted.

If you choose to use our web service to share pages on our website with a friend, we will ask you to provide your friend’s email address. We will automatically send a one-time email to your friend with the requested information. PGE does not store this information.

PGE’s Mobile Application collects certain data automatically, such as: the type of device you use, device identifiers, such as the resettable advertising identifier assigned to your device, the IP address of your device, geographical data such as the location of your device, your operating system, Wi-Fi mac address in your area, the type of internet browsers you use, data connection status and success/failure of connection, and data about the way you use PGE’s Mobile Application, installed applications on your device, and other data as reasonably required by PGE to enhance our services.

PGE may obtain information about you from third parties. For example, PGE may supplement your information with additional information we receive from a credit check performed when you apply for utility service or certain PGE programs. We may also purchase or otherwise acquire personal information from third party consumer data suppliers/resellers, data enrichment providers and aggregators, advertising networks, data analytics providers, internet service providers, operating systems and platforms, data brokers, business contact databases, government entities, and our parent, subsidiaries, affiliates, and other related entities.

Social media data

We may provide social media features that enable you to share information with your social networks. Your use of these features may result in the collection or sharing of information about you by the social networking website. Please review the privacy policies and settings of social networks you use to understand their practices.

PGE sends its customers emails regarding utility service information and their online account(s). These may include welcome messages, account set-up, online transaction confirmations, bill pay, customer service notices, password reset requests, outage and safety notices, and messages required by the Oregon Public Utility Commission. Generally, you may not opt-out of these utility service communications. If you do not wish to receive them, you have the option to deactivate your online account.

PGE may also send customers email communications about new products and services, including information on energy efficiency, surveys, and promotions. You may opt out of these types of email communications at any time using the Manage Subscriptions and Unsubscribe links provided at the bottom of each email message or through your online account.

When downloading PGE’s Mobile Application, you are provided the option to opt in to receive certain push notifications on your mobile device. This may include promotional communications, offers, and account related messages pushed to your mobile device. You may at any time opt out of receiving some or all of these optional push notifications by switching each alert setting to “off” in the Notification Preferences section within PGE’s Mobile Application. PGE also sends push notifications related to account disconnection and power interruptions. You may not opt-out of these communications. If you do not wish to receive them, you have the option to turn off all push notifications within the mobile device’s settings. In-Application messages will automatically be sent to you via PGE’s Mobile Application’s Message Center. Push notifications may also be displayed on a locked or inactive device screen. If you do not wish to see or receive push messages while using PGE’s Mobile Application, you should stop using the application. Opting out of push notifications will not affect your settings with respect to email communications.

You can make changes to your online account information, including your profile, by visiting the Update Information section of our website or the Update Account Info section of PGE’s Mobile Application. If you no longer wish to access your account online, you can cancel your online membership by following the instructions located under Cancel Online Services on the PGE website.

PGE’s website and Mobile Application use automatic data collection technologies including first- and third-party cookies, log files, local storage, web beacons, pixels, dynamic tags, device identifiers, and other technical means. PGE uses these technologies to collect and record information about your online activities over time and across third-party websites or other online services to:

  • Track site traffic

  • Understand preferences

  • Deliver content and advertising tailored to your interests

  • Enhance privacy/security

  • Analytics and research

  • Authentication

This information is used to identify trends and obtain statistics so that PGE can improve the website and PGE’s Mobile Application.

We allow certain service providers to place cookies and similar technologies on the website and Mobile Application for the same purposes listed above, including collecting information about your online activities over time and across different websites and devices. The use of cookies and other tracking technologies by these third parties is covered by the third parties’ privacy policy.

At this time, PGE’s website does not recognize automated browser signals regarding tracking mechanisms, such as "do not track" instructions. However, you can generally express your privacy preferences regarding the use of most cookies and similar technologies though your web browser. In most instances, you can configure your browser to reject cookies or to be notified of cookies you receive and choose to accept or not. Note that if you configure your browser to reject cookies, you might not be able to access important functions or areas of the website or enjoy certain conveniences of PGE’s website.

PGE uses your information to provide, manage and improve our services, to process, evaluate, communicate, and fulfill requests, to provide customer support, to service your electric needs, to provide opportunities to participate in products and services (e.g., energy efficiency incentives, rebates, and renewable energy), to comply with utility commissions/governmental data requests, orders, regulations/laws, and to ensure company, personal and public safety.

PGE has agreements with other local utility companies to share customer information for credit purposes only. We have established security procedures to ensure that information is being shared only with authorized utility representatives.

We may hire third parties to act on our behalf for activities such as market research surveys, billing, technical support, data base and web hosting, data analytics, contest entry processing and to provide energy management services. These parties will not be permitted to use customer information except for the purpose of providing their specific services on PGE’s behalf or comply with legal requirements, and they are not permitted to disclose, transfer, or sell customer information.

We may generate de-identified, anonymized and/or aggregated data relating to our customers and utility services (“Aggregated Data”). We do not share Aggregated Data in a manner that would identify any customer. Subject to applicable laws and regulations, we use Aggregated Data to understand our customers, perform data analytics and research, and develop, improve and/or market our services. We may provide Aggregated Data to third parties.

PGE is regularly required to share customer information with the Oregon Public Utility Commission. At the direction of the Oregon Public Utility Commission, PGE shares select customer information with Energy Trust of Oregon. This information is used for designing, evaluating, and improving Energy Trust services for energy efficiency and renewable energy systems and for marketing purposes. Energy Trust is obligated under OPUC regulations to protect PGE customer information, including name, address, and energy-use history, and keep it confidential. Learn more at portlandgeneral.com/datashare or portlandgeneral.com/datasharebusiness.

Other than the ways mentioned above, we will not release customer information to third parties without permission from the customer, unless we are required to do so by law or we in good faith believe such action is necessary to (1) comply with the law or legal process, (2) protect and defend our rights or property, (3) protect against misuse or unauthorized use of our website or (4) protect the personal safety or property of our customers or the public.

PGE has implemented administrative, technical, and physical safeguards on our website and technology assets to protect customer information from loss, theft, misuse, unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. Such safeguards include, but are not limited to, firewalls, intrusion monitoring, restricted access, and encryption. PGE also conducts internal audits & assesses new and existing systems to ensure security safeguards are in place. Unfortunately, no safeguards are fail-safe. If you believe your customer information has been compromised in any way, please reset your account passwords and call Customer Service at 800-542-8818.

This website contains links to third-party websites. These third-party websites may use cookies to collect information on our websites, including via plug-ins and widgets. These third parties may operate independently from PGE. PGE is not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these third-party websites. We encourage you to be aware when you leave our website and to read the privacy statements of other websites that collect visitor information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by PGE.

This Privacy Policy was effective on June 25, 2021. PGE welcomes your questions and comments on this Privacy Policy. This Privacy Policy is reviewed iteratively, within a given year, by the Customer Information Confidentiality Program which works to ensure PGE’s customer data is properly protected and secure.

PGE may from time to time, and without notice, amend, change, or modify this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in PGE services and our policies relating to customer information by posting a revised policy. Any revised policy shall be effective immediately on posting. Please check this Privacy Policy frequently to review PGE’s latest changes and our current policy.

We welcome your questions, concerns, complaints, and comments on this Privacy Policy. You may contact us by utilizing one of the following options:

These SMS Texting Terms and Conditions (“SMS Terms and Conditions”) are applicable to individuals who have subscribed, consented or have otherwise been enrolled by Portland General Electric Company (“PGE”) to receive text messages (“PGE SMS Texting”) from PGE or its agents (those individuals hereinafter called “Recipient”). By accessing and using PGE SMS Texting, Recipient accepts and agrees to be bound, without limitation or qualification, by these SMS Terms and Conditions as well as PGE’s Privacy Policy and Legal Notices.

Text messages will vary in frequency. Recipient may request an additional text message that will include relevant contact information by replying “HELP” to the text message received. Additionally, Recipient may opt-out of PGE SMS Texting by replying “STOP” from their mobile phone. Recipient may receive one final confirmation text message from PGE stating that they will no longer receive text messages from that short code.

PGE offers PGE SMS Texting to provide information on topics including, but not limited to the following: Safety and emergency notifications, rotating outage information, outage restoration information, payment reminder, payment received, past due alert, disconnect notice, weekly usage, and subscribed to PGE programs.

Safety and outage information provided is valid only at the time the text message is sent and may change at a later time.

Age restrictions apply to PGE SMS Texting. In order to participate, Recipient must be 18 years of age or older and own and control the mobile phone number provided to us.

PGE’sSMS Texting only functions on certain devices and operating systems. Recipient acknowledges that future operating system upgrades to their device may or may not be compatible with PGE’s SMS Texting. Using password-protected mobile devices and enabling encryption, if available, is recommended. 

Agreeing to the receipt of text messages is not a pre-condition for the purchase any product or service from PGE.

If Recipient is dissatisfied with PGE SMS Texting or with these SMS Terms and Conditions, their sole and exclusive remedy is to discontinue enrollment in PGE SMS Texting. 

PGE reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to cancel or suspend any or all of PGE SMS Texting, in whole or in part, for any reason, with or without notice to Recipient. PGE may revise, modify, or amend these SMS Terms and Conditions at any time. Recipient agrees to review these SMS Terms and Conditions periodically to ensure that Recipient is aware of any changes. Recipients consent to receive text messages indicates Recipient’s acceptance of those changes.

RECIPIENT EXPRESSLY UNDERSTANDS AND AGREES THAT PGE AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES, AFFILIATES, OFFICERS, AGENTS, EMPLOYEES, PARTNERS, CONTRACTORS, CONSULTANTS, LICENSORS, AND SUPPLIERS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE TO RECIPIENT FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, GOODWILL, USE, DATA OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES, EVEN IF PGE HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, RESULTING FROM THE USE OR THE INABILITY TO USE PGE SMS TEXTING, UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS TO OR ALTERATION OF YOUR TRANSMISSIONS OR DATA, STATEMENTS OR CONDUCT OF ANY THIRD PARTY REGARDING PGE SMS TEXTING, OR ANY OTHER MATTER RELATING TO PGE SMS TEXTING.

PGE SMS TEXTING IS PROVIDED "AS IS." TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMISSIBLE PURSUANT TO APPLICABLE LAW, PGE HEREBY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. PGE DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE SUCCESSFUL DELIVERY OF TEXT MESSAGES. RECIPIENT ASSUMES ALL RISKS AS TO THE QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE OF PGE SMS TEXTING, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO HEALTH RISKS. RECIPIENT ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THEY ARE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DEATH, PERSONAL INJURY, OR ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE THEY CAUSE THEMSELVES, OR OTHERS, BY THEIR USE OF PGE SMS TEXTING.Messages sent via text may not be delivered if the mobile phone number is not in range of a transmission site, or if sufficient network capacity is not available at a particular time. Even within a coverage area, factors beyond the control of wireless carriers may interfere with message delivery, including the customer's equipment, terrain, and proximity to buildings, foliage, and weather. PGE will not be liable for losses or damages arising from (a) non-delivery or delayed delivery; and (b) inaccurate or incomplete content in a text or message.

Messaging and data rates may be charged by mobile service providers in addition to any applicable roaming charges. PGE does not impose a separate fee for sending messages. Content may not be available via all carriers. Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.