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“We are talking to Indian and global firms who are making phones in India to give us the unique code available in phones for security purposes within the next two months,” said a senior DoT official, asking not to be identified. “From our talks, the device makers were eager as well because it prevents resale, fraudulent activities carried on their handsets.”
This unique number is a 15-digit identification code called International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI<\/a>). When a user makes a call, the record shows the phone number of the caller and the IMEI digits of the handset as well. The unique number attached to every mobile device is given by global industry body GSMA.
Earlier this month, the Centre launched a portal that will help users to detect their lost or stolen mobile phones, with the pilot originating from Mumbai.
“Registration of IMEI numbers with the government at the time of manufacturing will help curb increasing mobile crimes in India. This move has no impact on privacy or its enjoyment if registration is done at the time of manufacturing,” said Pavan Duggal, a cyber law expert. “It will further enable the government to protect innocent citizens and prevent (the) massive losses users (mobile fraud victims) are incurring on a monthly basis in India,” he said.
Typically, the IMEI number will help DoT trace the handset from which the call originated in case of any suspicious activity, and block them or track lost phones<\/a>.
When a phone is lost or stolen, DoT will block the handset but in case a new SIM<\/a> is inserted in the phone and a call is made; the service provider will flag off the details of the new caller to the authorities who in turn will trace the new caller.
“So far, we had a record of all phones that are imported into India. The telecom department and the customs department work together to check and record the IMEI numbers of handsets that come into India. But now we want domestic makers to provide the codes as well,” the official said. A bulk of the phones that are sold in India are now also made in India, and not imported.
The DoT has been working on this Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR), a database of IMEIs, for the past couple of years but now wants all handset players to submit the numbers as well.
IMEI numbers are unique and programmed into the handset, but in fraudulent cases, the government has found that the IMEI numbers have been reprogrammed for creating duplicate handsets as well.
“Right from the supplier to the seller, one may not realise that a phone with a duplicate code has been sold. If we have the list and see the digit crop up again, we can flag it off,” said the official.
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