LG Uplus announced on the 5th that it has deleted approximately 14.8 billion user personal information records through its nationwide 'local used smartphone diagnosis center.' Since concerns about personal information leaks were identified as the biggest reason (50.8%) for hesitation in used smartphone transactions, this is seen as contributing to the formation of a safe used smartphone market.
According to the Korea Information Society Development Institute (KISDI), the domestic used smartphone market size has grown from 6.82 million units in 2021 to 7.08 million units in 2022, and 7.78 million units in 2023. Since May of last year, LG Uplus has been operating the 'U+ Diagnostics Center' using solutions from 'Blanco Technology Group,' the global leader in data deletion diagnostic services, providing a service that safely deletes data from used smartphones.
The personal information data deleted over about nine months amounts to 207.5 terabytes, which is equivalent to a height of 1,411 kilometers when converted to A4 paper. This has led to a reduction of about 137 kilograms of electronic waste and a decrease of 34 tons of carbon dioxide.
The U+ Diagnostics Center has expanded from 22 locations during its initial operation to currently 100 locations, and it is available for free use regardless of the telecommunications company. The centers that can be visited can be checked on the dedicated website.
Lee Hyun-seung, senior vice president in charge of subscriptions and omnichannel platforms at LG Uplus, said, "We will enhance personal information security to create an environment where customers can confidently engage in used smartphone transactions," adding that they plan to carry out various activities in the future.