Waste Management and Recycling News

16-04-2010

EPDS calls for data protection with products for protection upon disposal

The European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) has called on the European Commission to introduce data protection rules to the WEEE electrical and electronic waste directive, to protect personal data. The EDPS call will place greater pressure on PC and phone suppliers to make it easier for their users to erase their personal data before being disposed of under WEEE.

The European Commission is already discussing changes to improve the directive, however the EDPS says not enough attention has been given to protecting personal data that is present in recycled equipment, including PCs and phones.

The EDPS said, "While supporting the proposal's objective to improve environmental-friendly policies in the area of e-waste, the EDPS believes the initiative only focuses on the environmental risks related to the disposal of WEEE. It does not take into account the data protection risks that may arise from inappropriate disposal, reuse or recycling. These risks exist in particular when personal or third party data relating to the users of the devices remains stored in IT and telecoms equipment."

Pure Planet Recycling protect your data when disposing of electrical and IT waste by their secure data destruction service, for more information call us on 01234 315496.

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