SERI seeks to address smart device data challenges

SERI is working to clarify its R2v3 standard on how to handle data on a variety of smart devices. , Anastasia Desiana/Shutterstock

In the world of reuse it has long been acknowledged that some smart items, such as fitness trackers, make it difficult to properly wipe personal data. An organization is now taking steps to address the problem.

Sustainable Electronics Recycling International (SERI) put together a data expert working group to look at technical solutions. It also made a formal interpretation request to the R2 Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) to clarify the language in SERI’s R2v3 standard for dealing with smart wearables and other devices, as well as the meaning of “software” as used in Appendix B. also clarified.

Corey Dehmi, executive director of SERI, told e-Scrap News that since the work to create With the R2v3 standard debuting in 2016, smart devices have exploded in popularity. Everything from watches to garage doors and fridges can store varying amounts of personal data, and in many cases the manufacturer only offers a factory reset option to clear it.

However, factory reset is not an acceptable level of sanitization under the R2v3 standard, Dehmi said, which could lead to “an interesting dilemma.” The R2v3 standard updated SERI’s previous certification standard, and all features that wished to remain certified had to be updated to R2v3 by January 1, 2022.

“We are in the process of implementing all these facilities. They started implementing v3 and started running into some hurdles,” he said.

Because SERI’s goal is a circular economy that promotes reuse first, “the intention is certainly not to destroy working equipment,” Dehmi said, “but to reuse a tool.” , you should be able to make sure the data is gone.”

That’s where SERI’s working group and R2 TAC come in. Dehmi said the task of the data expert group would include working with manufacturers to devise better ways to determine what data is on new smart devices and what can be done about it. Device.

“We’ve got devices where you can’t even delete your login credentials, so how do you reuse a device? How do you pass it on to your kids or anyone else?” Dehmi said. “The data experts group is going to really dig into the technical aspect of this and see where we can go with that.”

SERI’s lead provocateur Jeff Seibert said the group is focused on finding the best practices that are practical and understandable.

TAC, meanwhile, is looking at the language of the standard and “seeing if there are ways we can create a workable solution that goes as far as possible without destroying the device,” Dehmi said, But still maintains the high level required to be an R2v3 certified feature.

For now, the goal is to find a way to clean equipment “as far as manufacturers have given us the equipment to do so, with some robustness and reliability, so we are confident” going for reuse. devices, he said.

Siebert said the facilities are still R2v3 certified and are “finding their way through” how to handle such devices.

“It’s one of those things that isn’t all mesh yet so there are parallel tracks,” he said, adding that those tracks will soon merge as features and SERI figure out how to put the instruments in this way. How to clean that meets standard.

The technical group is an ongoing, long-term effort, Dehmi said, while TAC expects progress on the standard language over the next few months.

Dehmi said the items whose facilities are obtained are primarily phones, laptops, hard drives and other items that have long had well-defined sanitation solutions.

“I think we’re on the right track. It’s just working through the bumps,” Dehmi said, adding that “at the end of the day, the data is being protected and we’re working with devices.” Maximizing reuse and enabling circular economy.”

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