The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has issued a new directive that brings a big change to how apps like WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram work in India. Under the new mandatory SIM binding rule, these apps will function only if the SIM card used during registration is present and active in the user’s phone.
If the registered SIM is removed or becomes inactive, the app must instantly stop working. The government says this step was taken because some users were operating these apps without a SIM in their devices, making it easier for cybercriminals to commit fraud.
According to the new rules, apps such as WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, Arattai, Snapchat, ShareChat, and JioChat must constantly verify that the same SIM card remains in the device. The requirement also extends to web versions of these services. For instance, WhatsApp Web users will now be automatically logged out every six hours and will need to sign in again to continue using the platform on a computer or laptop.
The DoT explained that cybercriminals were exploiting non-SIM usage to hide their identity and carry out online fraud. After months of discussions with major service providers, the government decided to formalize these directions due to the seriousness of the issue.
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The main objective of this move is to prevent misuse of telecom identifiers and strengthen the overall security of the telecom ecosystem. Continuous, uninterrupted SIM verification is now mandatory, and apps must immediately block access if the registered SIM is replaced or removed.
The department has also warned that strict action will be taken against apps that fail to follow these rules, under the Telecommunications Act, 2023, the Telecom Cyber Security Rules, and other applicable laws.
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