DoT Motion on IMEI: The Division of Telecommunications (DoT) has made it clear that tampering with the 15-digit IMEI variety of a cell phone or any telecom identifier will now be thought of a really severe crime. This crime falls within the non-bailable class and might appeal to a most punishment of three years in jail, a wonderful of as much as Rs 50 lakh or each collectively. The federal government has adopted this robust stance to guard the telecom community and to curb counterfeit gadgets.
DoT warns everybody from producers to sellers
DoT has issued an in depth advisory for cell phone manufacturing firms, model house owners, importers and all sellers. It has been mentioned that underneath the Telecommunications Act 2023, there may be strict punishment for tampering with any telecom identifier. The division has instructed all firms to utterly observe the authorized framework.
The federal government additionally clarified that making adjustments in IMEI makes it extraordinarily troublesome for regulation enforcement companies to hint criminals. For that reason, IMEI registration and all associated processes are being strictly managed.
What do the Telecom Act 2023 and Cyber Safety Guidelines say?
Beneath the brand new system, not solely altering the IMEI, but in addition knowingly possessing any radio gadget like cell, modem, SIM field, when its telecom identifier is inaccurate or modified, can be thought of against the law in itself. These crimes come underneath cognizable and non-bailable class. Not solely this, those that assist, counsel or encourage such work may even be given related punishment.
In line with the Telecom Cyber Safety Guidelines 2024, no particular person can delete, change or modify the distinctive identification variety of a telecom gadget. Other than this, additionally it is against the law to make use of or possess any {hardware} or software program that has the power to vary the IMEI.
IMEI registration now necessary
In line with the brand new pointers, it’s essential to register the IMEI variety of each cell phone, module, modem and SIM field manufactured in India on the Authorities’s Machine Setu (ICDR) Portal earlier than the primary sale, testing or analysis. Equally, registration of any gadget with IMEI from overseas has been made necessary earlier than bringing it to India.
DoT says that following these guidelines is essential for the nation’s cyber safety, tax compliance and to forestall the unfold of counterfeit gadgets. Motion can be taken with none leniency in opposition to those that violate the principles.
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