I've found that deleting all of your friends solves the meter problem. I did it and haven't been metered for a month.
The 'friends' app should not be linked into the 'play' page, it should only update the main page. You don't need to see friends come and go while your playing.
I believe the 'friends' app is causing an interrupt on the 'play' page that screws up the meter.
Please check into this WGT and FIX it.