In a major shake-up for India’s digital communication ecosystem, the Union government has introduced strict rules mandating SIM card verification for messaging apps and automatic six-hour logouts for their web versions. This move targets rising cyber fraud cases originating from outside India, where criminals exploit app-based communication systems without needing the original SIM card.
SIM Binding Becomes Mandatory for WhatsApp, Telegram & Others
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has ordered all major messaging platforms—including WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, Snapchat, ShareChat and India-based apps like Arattai—to ensure SIM-binding within 90 days.
Under this rule:
- Messaging apps must stay continuously linked to the SIM used during registration.
- If the original SIM is not present in the device, access must be blocked.
- Apps can no longer operate independently after the initial OTP verification.
The government says this change is necessary because criminals were using inactive or foreign SIMs to operate messaging accounts inside India, enabling fraud, financial scams, and impersonation.
Six-Hour Timeout for Web Sessions
Web-based versions like WhatsApp Web must automatically log users out every six hours.
This is intended to:
- Prevent long-term unauthorized access
- Reduce misuse from public/shared computers
- Ensure active user verification
While helpful for cybersecurity, this rule will significantly impact office-goers who rely on WhatsApp Web throughout their workday.
Why the Government Introduced These Rules
The directives draw power from the Telecommunication Cybersecurity Amendment Rules, 2025, which introduced the concept of Telecommunication Identifier User Entity (TIUE). The DoT noted large-scale misuse of messaging platforms for cybercrime by users operating accounts without an active SIM card.
The government highlighted that many apps verify SIMs only once during signup. After that, users can remove, replace or deactivate the SIM—yet the app continues working.
Impact on Users & Industry Concerns
India is WhatsApp’s biggest market with over 500 million users, so the disruptions may be widespread.
People who:
- Use WhatsApp on PCs
- Use multi-device login
- Switch SIMs regularly
- Depend on tablets or secondary phones
…will face repeated logouts and blocked access.
Industry bodies like COAI earlier warned that frequent SIM checks could disrupt user experience and raise technical challenges for platforms.
A Tight Cybersecurity Net for Digital India
While the rules may create inconvenience, the government argues they are essential to curb rising cyber fraud, identity manipulation, and cross-border digital crimes.
