WhatsApp, Telegram and other covered messaging services in India will have to comply with new SIM-binding requirements from January 1, 2027, under directions issued by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).
The rules are intended to curb cyber fraud and the misuse of Indian mobile numbers by ensuring that messaging accounts remain linked to the SIM cards used to register them.
SIM Binding Rule
According to reports by The New Indian Express and NDTV, covered platforms must ensure that the registered SIM remains present and active in the device. The compliance deadline for messaging platforms is December 31, 2026.
If a registered SIM is removed or becomes inactive, users could lose access to the associated messaging service, depending on how the requirements
are implemented.
The directions also cover web and desktop versions of the services. These sessions will be required to log out every six hours, after which users will need to authenticate again by scanning a QR code with their primary device.
The changes could affect people who use WhatsApp or Telegram on computers, particularly those who rely on linked devices for work or keep their registered SIM in a different phone.
The government says the measures are intended to make it harder for fraudsters to misuse mobile numbers and messaging accounts.
Users should check official announcements from their messaging providers for details on how the rules will be implemented. The precise impact on individual accounts may depend on the platform’s compliance process and the user’s device configuration.
