New Non-Profit Program Protects Personal Data on Lost Smartphones and Tablets

The 911 Cell Phone Bank, a national non-profit organization, launched a new program aimed at protecting personal and confidential data on travelers lost smartphones, tablets and other portable electronic devices.

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. July 08, 2015

July 7, 2015 - OCALA, Fla. -- The 911 Cell Phone Bank, a national non-profit organization, launched a new program aimed at protecting personal and confidential data on travelers lost smartphones, tablets and other portable electronic devices.

May 4, 2015 Ocala, FL - The 911 Cell Phone Bank, a national non-profit organization, today introduced the DATA Secure program, a secure method to dispose of unclaimed electronic devices stored in lost and found and property and evidence rooms.

DATA Secure allows organizations that operate lost and found departments and law enforcement agencies that maintain a property room to safely dispose of lost or confiscated electronic devices that store personal data, like smartphones, tablets and laptops.

“Most people would panic if they lost their smartphone or tablet”, said James Mosieur, the DATA Secure program manager. “We all have personal data, photos and messages stored on these devices that we don't want others to see.”

Research shows that 62% of smartphone users don't password protect their devices. Without protection any personal information on these devices can easily fall into the wrong hands. A person's identity can be stolen, bank accounts can be accessed, social media accounts can be compromised, and their personal and private pictures can be made public.

“We have found many organizations that operate lost and found departments don't take the necessary precautions when disposing of devices that store private data,” said Mosieur. “There is potential liability if the property did not ensure the data was properly deleted and these devices fall into the wrong hands.”

The DATA Secure program was specifically developed with a focus on data protection. Each device is wiped of user data and returned to factory original. If a device cannot be data cleared it is destroyed and responsibly recycled.

After working devices are securely wiped of all data some become 911 emergency contact devices for use in the 911 Cell Phone Bank program, some are donated to other charitable organizations and some are remarketed to help pay operating costs.

If your organization operates a lost and found department and has unclaimed electronic devices or you are a law enforcement agency that wants to securely dispose of confiscated devices please visit http://www.DATA-Secure.org for more information.