Data security is at the forefront of mobile asset management. As technology has evolved, security threats become increasingly prevalent, making data security measures mandatory for every mobile device. Lock screens may come to mind when considering data protection methods, but software locks prevent multiple users from simultaneously accessing and modifying the same resource. Software locks are an integral part of operating systems, but they may prevent mobile devices from being reused, hindering the success of a a circular economy.
Software locks are intended to deter device theft by making stolen devices unusable, but this has created an obstacle for Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs) that cannot get past the locks in order to remarket the used devices. As a result, software locks are becoming a detriment to the secondary mobile phone market.
Due to the rising cost of technology, many consumers and enterprises keep IT assets longer or purchase used devices rather than new ones. Remarketing used devices helps create sales channels for those hoping to find alternatives to new devices. This helps reduce the demand for new devices and reduces the resources required to mine new metals for new devices. Some IT asset disposition providers offer value-added services like repair and refurbishment that help extend the life cycle of used devices, but software locks prevent devices from being reused and, therefore, hinder the success of a circular economy.
In a letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), refurbishers and consumers have urged the agency to address different kinds of software locks that prevent mobile device reuse and point out the negative impact the locks are having on the secondary mobile device market. According to the letter, the software locks make “millions of donated or handed-down phones unusable, harming the environment and the used phone marketplace.”
Improper IT asset disposition leads to excess e-waste in landfills and incineration facilities, potentially leading to water and air contamination and chemical fires. The metals used in manufacturing electronics leak toxic chemicals that pollute the air when burned, contributing to air pollution and increasing carbon emissions. ITAD vendors and other MRFs offer environmentally sustainable disposal solutions via electronics recycling and remarketing. Remarketing used devices mitigates environmental liabilities by closing the loop on the circular economy and eliminating waste.
HOBI International, Inc. is an R2v3, RIOS, WBE, and ISO 14001 certified IT asset management and disposition enterprise with more than 30 years of experience in the industry. HOBI focuses on maximizing economic return and mitigating environmental liability at every step of the disposition process. We offer data erasure and security services for devices repaired for reuse and onsite reverse logistics services for asset relocation or decommission.
For more information about our ITAD services, call 817-814-2620 or contact HOBI at sales@hobi.com.