SIM-binding rules from 2027: WhatsApp, Telegram users may need active SIM on phone
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New Delhi: Messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Telegram may require users to keep the SIM card or eSIM linked to their account active on their phone from January 1, 2027, under new SIM-binding rules announced by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).
The DoT has set December 31, 2026 as the compliance deadline for messaging platforms to implement SIM-binding requirements. From 2027, users may lose access to their accounts if the registered SIM is removed, deactivated or replaced.
Messaging apps that use Indian mobile numbers for registration will have to verify that the number is linked to an active SIM card or eSIM on the device. If the SIM is taken out, replaced or becomes inactive, the app may suspend access until the same number is restored through a valid SIM or eSIM profile.
The government says the measure is aimed at curbing cyber fraud, phishing and so-called digital arrest scams. According to the DoT, fraud networks have misused Indian mobile numbers by buying SIM cards, registering messaging accounts and operating them from outside India.
Authorities believe stricter linkage between accounts and active SIM cards will make it harder to misuse Indian numbers for cross-border fraud. The move also follows large financial losses reported by Indian consumers due to cyber fraud in recent years.
WhatsApp and Telegram are expected to fall within the scope of the rules as both platforms use phone numbers for registration and user identification.
Reports indicate that Snapchat is unlikely to be covered by the mandate. Signal’s position remains unclear, with reports suggesting the platform had not responded to government communications when the issue was reviewed.
The rules do not suggest that WhatsApp will stop working on particular iPhone or Android models from January 1, 2027. The proposed restrictions relate to SIM verification and account authentication, not device brands or operating systems.
The change is likely to affect users who keep the registered SIM in a secondary phone while using WhatsApp on another device, those who remove the SIM after setting up an account, and those who mostly rely on Wi-Fi and rarely use mobile data.
Users with dual-SIM phones will need to ensure that the number linked to their messaging account remains active. The rules will apply to both physical SIM cards and eSIM profiles; users should not face issues if the registered number is linked to an active eSIM on the device.
(Inputs from IANS)