MINTIT Develops Secure Personal Data Deletion App
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2024-07-15
- Developed the personal data deletion app ‘MINTIT Safe,’ set to launch for free in early August
- The app allows users to delete data without third-party involvement and provides a certificate, “putting an end to data exposure worries”
- Last year, MINTIT issued 850,000 data deletion certificates through its kiosks, leading the way in personal data protection
- “We aims to lead the used phone market with technology certified by global organizations”
MINTIT, a pioneer in the recycling industry and the first in South Korea to introduce an AI-powered grading system for secondhand phones, is launching a service that completely eliminates the primary concern in used phone transactions: the risk of residual or recoverable personal data on devices.
MINTIT (CEO: Ha Sung Moon) announced on the 15th that it has developed an app that completely deletes personal data from phones, and this service will be offered free of charge starting in early August.
As South Korea’s leading used phone trading platform, MINTIT aims to ease customers' concerns about personal data exposure when selling phones, while promoting a circular economy by ensuring old phones are reused rather than discarded. This initiative leverages the company’s strengths and industry experience.
“The main reason many people hesitate to sell their used phones is concerns about personal data leaks,” a MINTIT representative explained. “With the MINTIT Safe app, users can simply install the app on their phones and delete their data comfortably from home, without needing to connect to a PC, use dedicated hardware, or rely on third-party involvement. Plus, they receive a certificate afterward, making it more convenient and secure than any other service available.” The representative added, “We aim to create a culture of safely deleting data from phones even when they are kept at home, leading the way in personal data protection with the MINTIT Safe app.”
MINTIT purchases around one million secondhand phones annually through its AI-powered MINTIT ATM platform. This contactless trading platform allows users to check their phone’s performance and complete a sale within just 5 to 10 minutes, with immediate personal data deletion and payment. The new service brings the complete data deletion technology used in MINTIT ATMs to a wider audience, making it accessible to everyone, which marks a significant step forward.
MINTIT’s personal data deletion technology has received international recognition. In 2021, the company earned the international standard software quality certification (SQA, ISO/IEC 25051:2014) from Germany’s TÜV SÜD for its data deletion program. Earlier this year, it also received certification from ADISA (Asset Disposal & Information Security Alliance), a global leader in information security. MINTIT successfully passed ADISA's rigorous test for resistance to forensic tools and techniques, proving the safety and security of personal data during secondhand phone transactions—a major concern for customers.
Based on this technology, MINTIT operates a compensation system that provides up to KRW 1 billion in the event of personal data breaches involving phones sold through its MINTIT ATM kiosks. In 2022 alone, MINTIT issued 850,000 data deletion certificates.
Looking ahead, MINTIT plans to actively promote a recycling culture centered on its core secondhand phone business while continuing to lead the industry by advancing its business model to meet the needs of stakeholders, including the government and customers.
A MINTIT representative stated, “We are continually improving the user experience (UX) of the MINTIT ATM to make it more convenient for customers, and we are also upgrading the automated equipment line at the Icheon Recycling Center.” The representative added, “Our top priority is customer convenience, and we will continue to advance our business to solidify our position as the leading company in South Korea’s secondhand phone market.”
Data deletion certificate provided to MINTIT ATM users