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Source: The post is based on the article “From May 17, you will be able to track down your lost phone” published in TOI on 15th May 2023
What is the News?
Mobile phone users will be able to block and track their lost or stolen mobile phones across India with the rollout of the Central Equipment Identity Register(CEIR).
What is the Central Equipment Identity Register(CEIR)?
CEIR is the citizen-centric portal of the Department of Telecommunications for tracing lost/stolen mobile devices.
The portal facilitates the blocking of lost/stolen mobile devices in the network of all telecom operators so that lost/stolen devices can not be used in India.
If anyone tries to use the blocked mobile phone, its traceability is generated. Once a mobile phone is found it may be unblocked on the portal for its normal use by the citizens.
How to block a stolen/lost phone?
The user can block the phone’s IMEI by reporting it to State Police or by filling out a form submitted on this portal. The procedure to file through the portal is as follows: –
– File a report with the police and keep a copy of it.
– Get a duplicate SIM Card for the lost number from the telecom service provider. This is essential because one needs to provide this as the primary mobile number (OTP will be sent on this number) while submitting the request for blocking theIMEI.
– Fill out the request registration form for blocking the IMEI of lost/stolen phone, and attach the required documents.
– After the successful submission of a blocking request, the user’s phone is blocked within 24 hours. After the phone has been blocked, it cannot be used on any network across India.
– To unblock a lost/stolen phone’s IMEI, the user has to report to local Police that it is found.
