#USA #New York #two-way radios #Radiowell #Sensitive Data

Radiowell Study Reveals Alarming Data About Auctioned Radios

A recent investigation conducted by Radiowell, the leading provider of disposal solutions for land mobile radio equipment in the United States, has exposed a critical security issue concerning two-way radios. The study indicates that a staggering 35% of these radios sold at auction—platforms such as eBay or government surplus sites—still contain sensitive operational data that has not been erased before sale. This finding presents significant implications for the security and operational integrity of both governmental agencies and businesses alike.

The Scope of the Problem

Over a six-month investigation, Radiowell procured more than 300 two-way radios from various auction platforms and conducted thorough examinations of their contents. The residual data discovered includes critical information such as system programming, encryption keys, talkgroup and channel assignments, as well as personal details like employee names. If accessed by unauthorized entities, such information poses a risk not only to the integrity of communication systems but also potentially endangers public safety.

One particularly alarming case involved a radio sold by an electronic waste recycler in Southern California, which was subsequently used to issue a false