DoT extends directive on making panic buttons mandatory to existing phones as well

DoT has announced that its previous directive making panic buttons mandatory in mobile phones is applicable to existing phones as well. The earlier notification had stated that it is mandatory for all handset makers to install a panic button in all new phones to be sold from January 2017. However, DoT has now asked manufacturers to put in place a mechanism to install software patches in the existing handsets for the implementation of panic button facilities.