India Launches Pilot Project to Prevent Data Misuse In Stolen, Lost Phones
Feb. 10, 2018In order to prevent the misuse of data stored on smartphones that are lost or stolen, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has partnered with the Centre for Development of Telematics (CDoT) tocreatea databaseof such mobile devices, based on reports.
As per DoT’s instructions, CDoT will create theCentral Equipment Identity Register (CEIR), a database of all mobile devices which have been stolen or lost, and have now been put up for sale by dealers, using fudged IMEI numbers. CEIR will act as a universal database for telecom operators where details of blacklisted mobile devices can be added, so that due action can be taken.
Since lost or stolen smartphones are often sold after illegally altering their IMEI number, CDoT will implement a system of sending SMS/notifications to handsets with the same IMEI number to detect devices which have a fake IMEI number. This move will reportedly block devices from getting reactivated with a new SIM from a different carrier, thus ensuring the safety of data.
CDoT will reportedly design a software that will catalog the information of lost/stolen smartphones, and will help in identification of devices with fake IMEI numbers. The project’s success will dictate the rollout of DoT’s new move to other circles in the country.
