Topic: Cell Phones

Safely dispose of old cell phones to protect private information

September 14, 2009 |

Nashville – If you own a cell phone, at some point you are likely to upgrade to a newer model. The Division of Consumer Affairs urges you to safely dispose of your old phone.

“It is important to properly dispose of your old cell phones to prevent your personal information from being stolen,” said Mary Clement, Director of Consumer Affairs. Cell phones are like laptop computers, they are often repositories of personal and sometimes sensitive information, including addresses, phone numbers, passwords, e-mail and account numbers. You wouldn’t dispose of your old laptop computer without wiping the hard drive clean; mobile devices deserve the same level of attention before you discard them. Encrypting passwords and other sensitive data stored on your cell phone can help prevent unauthorized access even after your cell phone is no longer in service. However, certain data on your phone, including contacts, photos and web search items may be recoverable with simple and inexpensive software programs.

Before you dispose of your old phone: «Read the rest of this article»

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Why do we talk loud into our cell phone?

May 5, 2009 |

Pretty much everyone owns a cell phone these days, and with the great advantages of cell phones also comes responsibility. There is certainly proper and improper cell phone etiquette, and unfortunately, improper cell phone etiquette is still rampant amongst the general population.

One prime example of bad cell phone etiquette is people yelling into their cell phones. Have you ever noticed how people talk much louder into the cell phone than a regular phone? It’s very common, and can be extremely annoying for all those nearby.

A lot of people will excuse themselves into another room when taking a call, but there are some times when you can’t leave. For example, when you’re riding in a car with someone, you might need to take a call, and there’s no “other room” you can go into. It is times like these when cell phone etiquette is of the utmost importance. «Read the rest of this article»

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Public safety or ‘big brother’ watching: College mandates GPS cell phone tracking

November 27, 2007 |

While America Sleeps … a new, intrusive plan is underfoot, and may be coming to a college near you.

Should cell phone ownership a requirement for college attendance? In the case of New Jersey’s Montclair State University, every student will now be required to have a cell phone — not just any cellphone — but one with GPS technology that enables emergency locating of any student on campus — and it all in the interest of “public safety.” The cost, however, is to be borne by the students to the tune of a $420 annual fee for the Sprint-operated cell phone, a cost bundled into the students’ tuition bill. It’s the first such student-bears-the-cost program in the country.

What do students get for their money? According to a report published by CBS 2 HD today, the Montclair University plan offers “50 peak minutes a month, unlimited text messaging to any carrier, unlimited campus-based data usage, and student activated emergency tracking.” That implies students may use the system in case of emergency, yet the CBS report also referenced a comment, ostensibly supporting this intrusive program as a matter of safety, by Montclair Police Chief Paul Cell:

“What it does is allow students to have an extra pair or group of people watching over them when they are going from one location to another.”

To me, that’s the crux of the problem: not just the mandatory cost, but the eyes of big brother. «Read the rest of this article»

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