What if we told you that the Indian government is rolling out a system that will let you trace and even find lost phones? Sounds too good to be true? Well, not anymore. Later this month, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) will deploy the Central Equipment Identity Registry (CEIR) system.
This CEIR system will let you trace lost phones, believe it or not. While the system was introduced across states and union territories in March, the actual deployment is to take place starting May 17.
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In simple terms the initiative to let the users of the smartphones block their device in case of theft or when the device has been lost. How does this work?
You need to connect your device and add in preliminary details on the CEIR website or use the KYC application which is made available on the Apple store and Play store. The government will track down your device and retrieve it. Once you have procured your device you can simply unblock your cell phone. This system is introduced to prevent any data or privacy breach upon the loss of the device. The citizen can easily track their device and maintain security for their personal and confidential information.
To add in your details and register your smartphone with the CEIR system you can visit their website here. Whenever someone tries to operate a blocked cell phone the tracking system takes a notice of the movement and the officials are made aware of the device’s location.
A statement from Chief Executive Officer and Chairman Project Board at CDoT, Rajkumar Upadhyay to PTI suggested that the system is ready for pan-India usage.
"The system is ready, and now it will be deployed across India, in this quarter. This will enable people to block and track their lost mobile phones. One of the common practices is that miscreants change the IMEI number of stolen mobile phones which prevents tracking and blocking of such handsets. It was a national security issue. The CEIR will be able to block any cloned mobile phones on the network with the help of various databases."
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File an FIR (first information report)
Fill an online form with all your information and the IMEI numbers which are foremost targeted IDs
Attach a scanned copy of the FIR
Within 24hrs of the completion of the form your cell phone will be blocked
The phone will be disabled from all the networks throughout India.
You can track the status of the device traceability.
What do you think about this centralized system of tracing lost phones online? Will you be using it in the future, if your phone gets lost? Let us know in the comments below.