WhatsApp, Telegram Must Link to Active SIM

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WhatsApp, Telegram Ordered to Implement SIM Binding by Feb 2026: The End of Easy Fraud?

Also Read | Aadhaar Mobile Update From Home Via Face Authentication

The government has formally mandated a major security overhaul for instant messaging apps operating in India. The new rule, known as ‘SIM binding,’ is designed to create a strong, continuous link between your mobile number, the SIM card, and the app on your device, making it a nightmare for fraudsters using SIM swap scams.

Let’s be real, this is going to be inconvenient for millions of multi-device users and travellers, but the DoT is holding firm, citing massive losses from cybercrime.

Also Read | Aadhaar Mobile Update From Home Via Face Authentication

What is SIM Binding and How Does it Work?

SIM binding is a security protocol that forces continuous authentication.

• The Core Rule: The SIM card used to register your messaging app must physically remain active and inside the phone to use the app. If the SIM is removed, replaced, or deactivated, the app will stop working on that device.

• The UPI Parallel: Think of how UPI apps operate; they only work when the registered SIM is in the device, even if you are on Wi-Fi. Messaging apps must now adopt this same principle.

• The Web Version Pain Point: Here’s the kicker: web and desktop versions of apps like WhatsApp Web will now automatically log users out every six hours. To continue using the web version, users will need to re-authenticate by scanning a QR code with the primary, SIM-bound device.

Also Read | Aadhaar Mobile Update From Home Via Face Authentication

Why the Government is Forcing This Change

The main reason is to combat the rising tide of cyber fraud, impersonation, and untraceable cross-border scams that rely on SIM swap techniques.

• Criminals currently only need to authenticate the app once. After that, they can remove the SIM, operate the account remotely, or even use old/inactive SIMs to commit fraud, making them nearly impossible to trace.

• The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) supports the move, arguing that continuous SIM linkage is crucial for ensuring accountability and national security against the backdrop of cyber-fraud losses that exceeded ₹22,800 crore in 2024.

The Industry Pushback

While COAI supports it, other industry bodies like the Broadband India Forum (BIF) have called the directive problematic, warning it represents a clear overreach and could cause significant disruption, especially for:

Despite the worries, the DoT has issued the directions under the Telecommunication Cybersecurity Amendment Rules 2025, and apps must comply by February 2026.

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Disclaimer: This information is based on the DoT directive issued in late November 2025 regarding the implementation of SIM binding for messaging platforms in India, effective February 2026.

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