Summary
Altering this identifier, known as tampering, is prohibited under the Telecommunications Act and can lead to fines or imprisonment.
Manufacturers, importers, and retailers are required to register these numbers with the government before selling the devices.
Consumers should purchase phones from authorized sellers, verify the identifier through the Sanchar Saathi portal, and avoid using devices with modified codes.
In case of loss or theft, users must report to the police and request the carrier to block the device using the official blocking process.