alt Hacker NewsOk.
The alternative is corporations just trash the entire laptop. With the rise of soldered ssds( Apple for one) this is possible.
Maybe argue for better recycling ?
It only takes one half awake IT guy to forget to wipe a few drives to spook companies.
In my world if MegaCorp offloads used laptops to a non profit, and the non profit just has to throw in a cheap SSD, that's a win.
that's one alternative. another is: the corporation is regulated against unnecessary waste, and they do their due diligence to ensure the drive is wiped before resale/donation.
trade secrets must take a backseat to human rights and toxic pollution from mines.