India has carried out a compulsory SIM-binding requirement for messaging functions, together with WhatsApp, Telegram, Sign, Snapchat, and others.
The Division of Telecommunications issued a directive on November 28 requiring all app-based communication companies to make sure that customers preserve an lively SIM card of their gadgets to entry messaging options.
Beneath the brand new guidelines, messaging platforms should comply inside 90 days by making certain companies solely perform when an lively SIM is current.
New SIM-Binding Rule
Moreover, internet variations of those functions should routinely log customers out each 6 hours, requiring them to re-authenticate through QR code.
All service suppliers should submit compliance reviews to the Telecom Division inside 120 days. Non-compliance attracts penalties underneath the Telecommunications Act, 2023, and associated cybersecurity rules.
The federal government justified this measure by citing escalating losses from digital fraud, which reached Rs 22,800 crore in 2024.
Officers argue that steady SIM linkage will restore traceability to accounts utilized in phishing schemes, funding scams, digital arrest fraud, and predatory mortgage operations.
By anchoring each lively account to a KYC-verified SIM, authorities declare they’ll successfully observe.
Stop cross-border digital crimes that exploit the present system, through which messaging apps proceed to perform after SIM removing or deactivation. The directive has sparked divided responses amongst trade stakeholders.
The Mobile Operators Affiliation of India (COAI), which represents main telecom suppliers corresponding to Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Thought, strongly helps the measure.
COAI argues that steady SIM linkage ensures full accountability and closes persistent safety gaps which have enabled Privateness and misuse of communication platforms.
Nevertheless, the Broadband India Discussion board (BIF), representing know-how giants together with Meta and Google, expressed critical issues in regards to the directive.
BIF argues that the necessities lengthen past the mandate of telecommunications rules and create vital jurisdictional, shopper influence, and operational dangers.
In accordance with the reviews, the federal government has urged them to pause implementation timelines and conduct wider stakeholder consultations earlier than continuing.
The ruling applies to all messaging functions working in India and impacts thousands and thousands of customers. The federal government clarified that the directive doesn’t influence customers who preserve lively SIM playing cards of their gadgets whereas roaming internationally.
Service suppliers now face a important 90-day window to revamp their authentication programs and adjust to these evolving rules.
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