New Delhi: Safety and security of the users is an integral part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Digital India. Towards fulfilling this vision Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Communications, Railways and Electronics & IT, launched the today.
While speaking at the launch minister said that the three reforms are being introduced today towards furthering PM’s vision:
- CEIR (Central Equipment Identity Register) – for blocking stolen/lost mobiles.
- Know your mobile connections – to know mobile connections registered in your name.
- ASTR (Artificial Intelligence and Facial Recognition powered Solution for Telecom SIM Subscriber Verification) – to identify fraudulent subscribers.
The Minister said that various frauds such as identity theft, forged KYC, banking frauds can take place by misusing mobile phones. This portal has been developed to prevent such frauds. He said user safety is also an important part of the draft Telecom bill.
By using Sanchar Saathi portal, more than 40 Lakh fraudulent connections have been identified and more than 36 Lakh such connections have been disconnected so far.
Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw urged the users to visit the portal and avail the services. Link of the portal is (https://sancharsaathi.gov.in).
Brief on Sanchar Saathi portal is enclosed.
Brief on Sanchar Saathi initiative
With 117 crore subscribers, India has emerged as the second largest telecom ecosystem in the world. In addition to communication, mobile phones are being used for banking, entertainment, e-learning, healthcare, availing government services, etc.
It is therefore crucial that the users are protected from various frauds such as identity theft, forged KYC, theft of mobile devices, banking frauds, etc.
To protect users, Deptt of Telecom has developed a citizen centric portal named Sanchar Saathi. It allows citizens to:
- Check the connections registered on their names
- Report fraudulent or unrequired connections
- Block the mobile phones which are stolen/lost
- Check IMEI genuineness before buying a mobile phone
The entire system has been designed in-house by Deptt. of Telecom. It has following modules.
Centralized Equipment Identity Register (CEIR):
- In case any mobile device is stolen or lost, a user can submit the IMEI numbers on the portal.
- Information submitted by user along with a copy of police complaint is then verified.
- The system is integrated with the Telecom Service Providers and Law enforcement Agencies.
- Once the information is verified, the system blocks the stolen mobile phones from being used in Indian networks.
- In case anyone tries to use the stolen device, the system allows Law Enforcement Agencies to trace the device.
- When the stolen device is recovered, the user can unlock the device on the portal.
- The system prevents use of stolen/lost mobiles.
- It also prevents mobile devices with inaccurate or forged IMEIs being used in Indian networks.
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