DoT cautions manufacturers and sellers on mandatory IMEI registration; consequences of tampering

November 17, 2025 3:46 PM

DoT cautions manufacturers and sellers on mandatory IMEI registration; consequences of tampering

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has cautioned manufacturers, brand owners, importers and resellers of telecom equipment, reminding them of mandatory International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) registration requirements and warning of severe penalties for IMEI tampering under the Telecommunications Act, 2023 and the Telecom Cyber Security Rules, 2024. According to the DoT, IMEI regulation is critical for safeguarding telecom networks, preventing counterfeit devices and strengthenin...

Telecom fraud: DoT disconnects over 3.4 cr mobiles, blocks 17 lakh WhatsApp accounts

March 21, 2025 10:38 PM

Telecom fraud: DoT disconnects over 3.4 cr mobiles, blocks 17 lakh WhatsApp accounts

In an effort to combat telecom fraud, the government on Friday said it has disconnected more than 3.4 crore mobile phones while blocking 3.19 lakh IMEI numbers to date through the Sanchar Saathi portal. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) said that with the help of AI and Big Data, it also disengaged 16.97 lakh WhatsApp accounts. Over 20,000 bulk SMS senders were also blacklisted as part of DoT's ‘Sanchar Saathi’ initiative, said Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, Minister of State for C...