All those who use tools they know what is obsolete, even if they can not give a definition . The obsolescence (along with a breakdown) is, in fact, one of the main reasons why a PC, server, or a cell phone will be replaced more often than a desk, a sofa or a wardrobe.

Only when you give away that while there are concerns a closet to clean it of all personal content, not always when - for whatever reason - dismettiamo electronic equipment we endeavor to effectively eliminate the personal information stored there.

In my lectures on privacy will always speak: When you retire your "computer use" you must follow some (simple) precautions to avoid that someone else can easily access email, addresses, photos, passwords used web services (home banking, social networks etc..). This is an important cross-cutting theme: companies, professionals, government and private citizens are all required to take special precautions so as not to expose their data and those of others (friends, clients or suppliers) as a serious risk to handling or identity theft.

Given the importance of these measures shows that, in practice, are rarely adopted and are increasingly frequent cases of unauthorized access to personal information stored on electronic equipment as a result of a "scrappage" unsafe. The phenomenon is worrying enough to push the Authority for the Protection of Personal Data to deal with a particular bill .

The measure has the advantage of drawing the attention of all who dismettono electronic equipment on the need "to take adequate precautions and measures, even with the help of technically qualified third parties to prevent unauthorized access to personal data stored." I must point out that - differently from what I heard - with the provision in question, the Guarantor does not introduce new requirements but simply illustrates how to respect fully the applicable standards of security measures (Art. 31 et seq.; Art. 154 and Annex B of Legislative Decree n. 196/2003 ), in the measure are a number of valuable suggestions that more careful with the regulation already followed. In particular:

a) adoption of technical preventive measures for secure (with encryption) of data;
b) adoption of technical measures for the secure deletion of data (using special software or through low-level format or demagnetization);
c) disposal involving the destruction of the media to prevent the improper acquisition of personal data.

Where the data controller is not competent to attend to these operations, will give the job to necesario third soggeto (specialized) certifying that you run them.

For those who had not already done so, these procedures must be provided in the notorious Security Policy Statement (DPS) and agreements with suppliers of services. In fact, failure of these precautions, as recalled by the Guarantor, may derive a criminal liability (for failure to adopt security measures) and - in case of damage caused to third parties - even civil.

Better think before you sell the phone on ebay or give it away before all the computers in our office.