When people upgrade their phones, laptops, or tablets, the old devices often end up in trade-in programs or at electronic waste collection points. But what happens to the personal information stored on those devices after they leave your hands? The answer is more complicated than many assume.
Resale programs and secure erasure
Companies that refurbish and resell electronics usually follow structured procedures to protect customer data. Devices that are still functional and have resale value are wiped using certified erasure software, designed to make data permanently inaccessible. This process typically produces a digital certificate confirming that the wipe was completed. Devices that cannot be repaired or reused are diverted to recycling instead.
Recycling centres and hidden risks
Collection centres that process large volumes of e-waste follow a different model. Devices are first sorted and stripped of hazardous parts such as batteries, before being fed into shredders that break down the materials for recovery. While this may sound final, experts point out that the chain of custody for individual devices is not always secure. In the past, some recyclers offered on-site data destruction services, but these programs were scaled back due to high operating costs.
Although the risk of someon
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