Why researchers want you to wipe your old phone; dehumidifier recalls: CBC’s Marketplace Cheat Sheet | CBC News

Selling or recycling an old smartphone? Do a factory reset first

If you’re trying to get rid of your old electronics, it’s important that you make sure to fully wipe all of your personal data from the device.

But as computer security researchers from the University of Guelph recently discovered, many people who are selling or recycling electronics aren’t doing this properly. 

The team contacted 131 people who had advertised their device online for sale and found that although a majority had used a factory reset to clear their personal information from the device, more than one-third had not properly cleared their devices. And many had not deleted the data at all. Read more 

How the COVID-19 crisis shaped our shopping habits

Nearly a year and a half into the pandemic, there’s a clearer picture of how the COVID-19 crisis has shaped our shopping habits — and how we respond when public health restrictions are eased.

Metro Inc.’s third-quarter earnings, reported Wednesday, largely mirrored results posted earlier this summer by competitors Empire Co. Ltd. and Loblaw Companies Ltd.

At the onset of the pandemic, all three saw sales soar as shoppers stockpiled everything prompting shortages of items such as flour and toilet paper. Many Canadians also opted for conventional full-service grocery stores rather than discount supermarkets and bought more items per visit as part of a one-stop-shop effort to reduce their grocery trips.

But the opposite trend is now emerging as the vaccine rollout continues. Read more

Ottawa promises vaccine passport for international travel

The federal government says it plans to create proof-of-vaccination documentation for international travel by early fall.

Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino said earlier this week that Ottawa is working with the provinces — which hold the data on vaccinations — to develop consistent credentials. The minister said the government is also working with other countries to recognize the credentials issued in Canada.

The federal certification would include data on the type of vaccines received, dates and location. Read more

400,000 dehumidifiers recalled in Canada due to fire risk

Dehumidifier users, listen up. Up to 413,915 dehumidifiers are being recalled in Canada because of a risk of overheating and catching fire. 

All affected models were made by a company called New Widetech, but were sold under various brand names, including Honeywell, Whirlpool, and Danby. Read more

What else is going on? 

Canada legalizes single-game sports betting, opening up billion-dollar market
Federal law gives provinces the OK for more gambling on sports than currently allowed.

Pandemic-era patios still too often inaccessible, disability advocates say
Patios are ‘very frustrating’ for people with hearing loss, advocate says.

Snower 3-drawer chest recalled due to tip-over and entrapment hazards
Contact the company to obtain a free anchoring repair kit

Dairy farmers latest group hit hard by Manitoba drought; desperation sets in
Majority surveyed suggest they won’t or are unsure they will have enough feed through winter.

Marketplace needs your help

Have you bought something at a dollar store, only to find it fall apart, or not work the way you had hoped? 

Send photos of dollar store fails, like the above example sent in by former Marketplace editor Donald Chung, to [email protected]

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We want to hear about your experience! Email us at [email protected]

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