Method and device for managing data in a non-volatile memory

The invention relates to a method and a device for securing data in a nonvolatile data memory which is subdivided into memory segments. The data in the memory segments 10 include management data 11 for the respective memory segments. New data is written to a first memory segment of the data memory to replace old data in a second memory segment of the data memory. The second memory segment is deleted. A status data item 13 in the management data 11 of the first memory segment or the second memory segment is changed to identify the new data in the first memory segment as stored data to be used. In this case, the management data 11 of the memory segments contain a further data element 14, 15, which in the case that the step of erasing is not completed, allows the determination of the age margin of the data in the second memory segment against the data of the first memory segment. Furthermore, the invention relates to a nonvolatile data memory subdivided into memory segments. Means for activating the respective memory segment activate the memory segment when it is addressed via a corresponding address signal. The activating means evaluates the status data of the memory segment to determine if the memory segment is activated. Means for activating the respective memory segment activate the memory segment when it is addressed via a corresponding address signal. The activating means evaluates the status data of the memory segment to determine if the memory segment is activated. Means for activating the respective memory segment activate the memory segment when it is addressed via a corresponding address signal. The activating means evaluates the status data of the memory segment to determine if the memory segment is activated.