New Delhi: India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is preparing to introduce new SIM-binding rules from January 1, 2027, requiring users of messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Telegram to keep the active SIM card linked to their registered mobile number in their phones.
The department has directed the companies concerned to comply with the new requirements by December 31, 2026. Under the proposed rules, access to messaging services could be affected if the registered SIM card is removed, deactivated or replaced with another SIM. Users would need to keep the active SIM associated with their account in the device to continue using the service.
The government says the move aims to strengthen digital security. Some messaging apps allow users to continue accessing their accounts even when the SIM card used during registration is no longer in the device. Authorities have received complaints that this facility has been exploited for cybercrime.
The new requirements are intended to curb fake accounts, online fraud, phishing and scams in which criminals impersonate government officials.
Besides WhatsApp and Telegram, the directives cover services including Signal, Arattai, ShareChat, Josh and JioChat.
The rules also include provisions for the security of web versions of messaging apps. However, instead of making it mandatory for web sessions to terminate every six hours, the government has reportedly adopted a risk-based approach to logging users out.
