New Rules from the New Year? Here’s What WhatsApp Users Need to Know...

The Central Government has introduced SIM-binding requirements for messaging platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram to help curb cybercrime and the misuse of Indian mobile numbers. According to reports, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has set December 31, 2026, as the compliance deadline, with the new requirements expected to take effect from January 1, 2027. Under these rules, messaging apps must remain linked to the specific, active SIM card associated with the registered mobile number. If the SIM is removed or deactivated, access to the app on that device may be disrupted until the required SIM is available again. The measures are intended to prevent fraudsters from exploiting messaging accounts without the registered SIM, including scams carried out remotely or from outside India. The rules reportedly cover several platforms, including WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, Snapchat and others.

The requirements could affect users who regularly switch SIM cards, use messaging apps on Wi-Fi-only devices or access their accounts across multiple devices. The government has also revised the requirements concerning web and desktop sessions. According to reports, the earlier proposal for automatic logout every six hours has been replaced by a risk-based approach, under which sessions may be terminated immediately when fraud is suspected. This means that WhatsApp Web and Telegram Desktop users should not assume that automatic six-hour logouts will be mandatory under the revised approach. The government says the measures are intended to strengthen telecom security and reduce phishing, impersonation and other digital scams. However, the actual impact on users will depend on how each platform implements the requirements.