Thinking about selling your old cell phone on eBay? Think twice

[thewayne]

I knew there were data recovery tools for cell phones, apparently it's easier than I thought. This is more an issue for corporate cell phones and people who do a lot of text messaging, particularly ones that tie into a business email system. It's stunning the information that they've retrieved from these things. Better to put 'em into a shredder, I say!

http://www.wacotrib.com/hp/content/shared-gen/ap/National/Betrayed_by_a_Cell_Phone.html

I'm not concerned. I've never sold a cell phone, I've retired several by switching providers, but I've kept the phone. I won't own advanced cell phones for a variety of reasons, and I don't text message.

Comments

[apostate-96.livejournal.com]

The link just leads to a map site for selecting region(s). Is there another link to use?

[thewayne.livejournal.com]

Eventually I'll learn that the URLs on Wired News can be very transient. I've updated the post to what should be a persistant link.

[apostate-96.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

[silveradept]

It's the AP problem that makes things temporary. The affiliate links themselves should work, once found.

As for the article itself - I guess I don't recycle my phone, then, until I'm sure all the data on it is totally written over.

[maegwin-of-hern.livejournal.com]

I prefer text messaging over calling someone because of the costs, so I guess I should worry. Since I don't sell my old cell phones, though, I don't. I still have my old cell phone lying around, the one I'm currently using is my second one.

[thewayne.livejournal.com]

Your worry level should be influenced by how personal your messages get. I think I would approach it from a published book standpoint: if all the messages that you've sent were collected and published in a book, would it be embarrasing or defamatory?