Google, Samsung check smartphone security after Dong-A report

Google and Samsung Electronics are checking personal security on smartphones based on a Dong-A Ilbo report saying a user’s personal information on a used smartphone using Google’s Android operating system can be restored easily even after the phone is initialized.

Google Korea said Thursday that it conveyed information on the Dong-A report to its headquarters in the U.S., adding, “We will take action after determining the cause internally.” A Samsung source also said, “Though the operating system has the problem, we will take necessary measures after conducting restoration tests on our Galaxy smartphones."

SK Telecom and KT, Korea’s top two mobile carriers and distributors of used smartphones, are also acting to prevent personal information from being leaked. SK will inspect all of its mobile phone sales agents to see how and how many of them are involved in the illegal sale of used smartphones, inform customers on how to safely buy or sell used smartphones, and provide software capable of deleting all data on mobile devices. “The Android operating system has no function to delete all data on used smartphones,” SK said. “We plan to develop our own technology to do it,” KT also said adding that it will provide such software to its subscribers.

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