Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Nov 30: The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has issued a major directive to online messaging platforms, mandating that users must have the original SIM card used for registration present in their device to access these services. The move, aimed at curbing cyber frauds, will significantly impact platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, Snapchat, ShareChat, JioChat, Arattai and Josh, officials said.

According to the DoT’s notice, several communication apps that use mobile numbers for user identification are allowing access even without the linked SIM card, enabling misuse from outside India for cybercrime and fraud. To plug this loophole, the Centre has ordered strict SIM binding within 90 days.

Under the new rules, messaging platforms must ensure their services remain “continuously linked” to the SIM card used at the time of registration. If the SIM is not present in the device, access must be blocked. In addition, associated web platforms — such as WhatsApp Web — must log users out periodically, at least once every six hours.

The directives are backed by the Telecommunication Cybersecurity Amendment Rules, 2025, notified in October. These rules define entities like WhatsApp or Telegram as Telecommunication Identifier User Entities (TIUEs) — platforms that use telecom identifiers (mobile numbers) to authenticate users. All platforms must submit a compliance report to the DoT within four months.

Impact on users

Industry experts warn that the move may cause inconvenience to users, especially those travelling abroad who temporarily switch to foreign SIM cards. Until now, apps like WhatsApp continued to work seamlessly even when users changed their SIM cards. “With these directives, such convenience will no longer be possible,” an industry executive said.

The order will also disrupt workflows for professionals who rely heavily on web versions of messaging apps. Frequent auto-logout every six hours could add friction, especially in office environments where phones are not always accessible.

While the crackdown aims to curb cyber fraud, experts said its effectiveness may be limited as many scammers operate using SIM cards obtained through forged or illegal identities.

Earlier this year, the telecom industry — including the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) — had supported SIM binding, noting that most apps link with the SIM only during initial verification, after which they function independently even if the SIM is removed or deactivated.

Platforms now have 90 days to implement SIM binding and four months to file their compliance report.