A Centralised website to track, recover your lost mobile faster
- November 30, 2023
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN Topics
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A Centralised website to track, recover your lost mobile faster
Subject: Science and Tech
Section: Awareness in Computers &IT
Context:
The Indian government has recently launched a groundbreaking nationwide mobile phone tracking system known as the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR).
This initiative is poised to play a pivotal role in bolstering national security, curbing phone theft, and ensuring the authenticity of mobile devices in the market.
Background:
- The Centre for Department of Telematics (CDoT), after successful piloting in Delhi, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and the North East, officially launched the CEIR system.
- This innovative system is designed not only for tracking lost or stolen mobile phones but also to render such devices unusable, serving as a deterrent to theft.
Functionality of CEIR:
- IMEI Registration: Users are required to disclose the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number, a 15-digit unique identifier associated with their mobile device, before its sale in India.
- Reporting Lost or Stolen Mobile Phones: In the event of a lost or stolen phone, users report the IMEI number to the authorities.
- Blocking IMEI Across Networks: The CEIR system processes the reported IMEI number and ensures its blocking across all networks in the country, rendering the device unusable.
- Preventing Unauthorized Use: By blocking the IMEI number, the system prevents unauthorized individuals from using the lost or stolen device on any network in India, acting as a deterrent to theft.
- Tracking and Recovery: Authorities, including the police, can leverage the CEIR system to track and locate stolen or lost mobile phones based on their blocked IMEI numbers, involving advanced technologies and collaborations with telecom operators.
- Retrieval by Authorities: Upon locating a stolen or lost mobile phone, authorities take necessary actions to verify ownership and facilitate the return of recovered devices to their rightful owners.
- National Security and Counterfeit Prevention: CEIR addresses national security concerns by preventing the use of cloned or counterfeit mobile phones. Authorities can identify unauthorized or cloned devices based on IMEI numbers and take appropriate actions.
- Consumer Awareness and Protection: The system contributes to consumer protection by raising awareness about counterfeit or cloned mobile phones in the market. Users can verify IMEI numbers before purchasing, ensuring authenticity and preventing potential issues.
About IMEI:
- IMEI, or International Mobile Equipment Identity, plays a pivotal role in the realm of mobile technology, serving as a 15-digit unique identifier for mobile devices worldwide.
- IMEI serves as a crucial tool for identifying the hardware of a specific mobile device, aiding in its differentiation from other devices.
- Device manufacturers assign IMEI numbers during the production process, ensuring a unique identifier for each device manufactured.
- In India, mobile device sellers are mandated to disclose the IMEI numbers of devices before their sale, aligning with regulatory standards.