Oops: McCain campaign accidentally sells confidential information
Filed under: Communication, In this week's e-newsletter, Latest News & Views, Security and law
This recent gaffe ought to teach companies a lesson about properly disposing of electronic equipment:
After the presidential election was over, John McCain’s team sought to recoup some costs by selling used laptops, BlackBerries and other equipment used by campaign workers.
The problem: At least one of the devices still contained information that should have been deleted beforehand.
Investigative reporters in Arlington, VA, purchased a BlackBerry from the team. When they charged the phone and turned it on, they a list of about 50 donors’ private phone numbers, as well as hundreds of e-mails between campaign employees and volunteers.
Companies can face similar problems when they dispose of old computers and other equipment. That’s why it’s important to have procedures in place to make sure all data is properly wiped.
