What Is The New SIM Binding Rule From The Government Of India? How It Will Impact WhatsApp And Telegram Users

Things are going to change for WhatsApp and Telegram users in India as the Department of Telecommunications (D0T) has announced a new rule that asks these messaging services to introduce a SIM-based login verification process. If it comes in action, then apps like Telegram, WhatsApp, and Signal will have to make sure that users have the same active SIM used during registration present in the device on which the app is being used. As per DoT, this decision is focused on reducing the increasing fraud related to these apps.The latest directive from the Department of Telecommunications comes as an amendment to the TCS Rules 2024. It brings a requirement for continuous SIM validation for a period of 90 days. The same will be carried out via a process dubbed

SIM binding, as per which, the user's account must be tied to an active SIM card that was available during the registration process.

Why DoT Is Bringing This Change?

The DoT has suggested that the new rule will be targeting to minimise the fraud and scams going on WhatsApp. SIM binding is expected to make sure that the registered identity stays verifiable and linked to telecom subscribers at all times. With this rule in action, all the users who have been accessing WhatsApp from a dead number will not be able to do so. The mandate will be applicable on all the messaging platforms that come under Telecommunication Identifier User Entities like Meta Messenger, WhatsApp, Signal, Snapchat, Telegram, Josh Arattai, JioChat. All the mentioned platforms have been asked to comply with the new rule I a period of 90 days. And all the users who access any of the platforms on their laptops will be asked for periodic authentication. From the user's point of view, you just need to keep the SIM used to register for these platforms active.