CONTENTS
- C-Vigil App
- Department of Telecom Directs Deactivation of USSD-Based Call Forwarding Due to Misuse
C-Vigil App
Context:
Since the announcement of General Elections 2024, over 79,000 complaints have been received on the C-Vigil app.
Relevance:
GS II: Government policies and Interventions
C-Vigil App: An Overview
- Origin: C-Vigil is a mobile application developed by the Election Commission of India (ECI).
- Purpose: The app aims to empower citizens to report violations of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) during elections.
Features:
- User-Friendly Interface: C-Vigil is designed to be intuitive and easy to operate.
- Direct Reporting: The app facilitates immediate reporting of political misconduct to the District Control Room, Returning Officer, and Flying Squads Teams, eliminating the need to visit their offices.
- Unique ID for Tracking: Upon reporting a violation, users receive a unique ID to track the status of their complaint.
- Real-Time Reporting: Users can capture and submit audios, photos, or videos of incidents as they happen.
- Time-Bound Response: The app implements a “100-minute” countdown for timely responses to reported violations.
- Geo-Tagging: The app automatically geo-tags the location of reported violations when users activate the camera, providing precise location data for immediate action and potential legal evidence.
- GPS Tracking: Utilizes GPS technology to accurately pinpoint the location of the reported violation.
- Anonymous Reporting: Users have the option to report MCC violations anonymously.
- Progress Tracking: The app allows users to monitor the progress of their complaints directly within the application.
Department of Telecom Directs Deactivation of USSD-Based Call Forwarding Due to Misuse
Context:
The Department of Telecom (DoT) has instructed telecom operators to deactivate USSD-based call forwarding services, specifically the commonly used *401# service for unconditional call forwarding, with effect from April 15. The directive comes in response to concerns over the misuse of this facility for unauthorized activities. The DoT has urged telecom operators to transition to alternative methods for reactivating call forwarding services. This move aims to enhance security and prevent the misuse of USSD-based call forwarding, reflecting the government’s commitment to safeguarding telecommunications infrastructure and ensuring responsible use of telecom services.
Relevance:
GS II: Government Policies and Interventions
Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD): An Overview
- Protocol: USSD stands for Unstructured Supplementary Service Data, a communications protocol utilized in Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) networks.
- Nature: Unlike SMS (Short Message Service), USSD is an instant messaging service where messages are not stored on either the operator’s side or the subscriber’s device.
USSD Formats:
- USSD Pull:
- An outgoing request initiated by the user in the form of a MMI (Man-Machine Interface) command.
- USSD Push:
- A message sent from the operator to the user’s screen.
- Command Structure:
- USSD commands typically consist of special characters like * and #, followed by numeric codes.
- Commands start with * or # and usually end with #.
- Message Length:
- The maximum length for a USSD message is 182 characters. However, in practice, most requests are much shorter, often not exceeding 20 characters.
Applications:
- Balance Display:
- One of the common uses of USSD is to display balance deductions on mobile phones. For example, a message may pop up on the device screen after making a call or sending an outgoing SMS to show the remaining balance.
- IMEI Checking:
- USSD can also be used to check the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers of mobile devices.
