In the US, for mobile phone users looking to update to the one of their new 3G smartphones like the DROID X by Motorola and the BlackBerry Bold 9650, Verizon Wireless have set up a trade-in programme. The DROID X was released on Verizon’s network on the 15th July and is packed with new features including support for Adobe’s Flash technology. It is so popular that it went out of stock on Verizon’s website almost immediately.
In the trade-in programme, old phones can either be sent by post or taken to a local store. The company announced: “With Verizon Wireless’ HopeLine cell phone recycling and refurbishing program, you can simply drop off or mail in your old wireless phone and, at the same time, help victims of domestic violence,”
Customers are encouraged to erase any personal data before they donate their old phones but as part of the refurbishing process, users are reassured that the recycling vendor removes the phone of all personal data before it is distributed for re-use. The phones are reset to factory settings so that data such as phone numbers, photos and text messages are removed. The old phone will be connected to a special data erasure service which removes all personal information to comply with new privacy laws.