The Indian government has issued a major directive on 28th November, 2025, that will change how popular messaging apps like WhatsApp, Arattai, Telegram, Signa, and other platforms work in the country. As per the new rule, these apps must ensure that their services function only when the registered SIM card used during sign-up is present in the device.
This initiative is being positioned as a strong step towards tightening cybersecurity and reducing online fraud. In this article, let’s break down everything in a simple way.
What Is the New SIM Binding Rule for Messaging Apps
SIM binding simply means:
- A messaging app will work only if the same SIM card used during registration is inserted in the phone.
- If the SIM is removed or changed, the app must stop working for that user account.
This rule will apply to:
- Arattai
- Telegram
- Signal
- Messenger (if it uses a phone number)
- Other messaging platforms operating in India
This directive is expected to be implemented from February 2026.
Why the Government Introduced SIM Binding
The government has been facing difficulties in tracking cybercriminals who use messaging apps to commit fraud, especially because these apps allow multi-device login without verifying if the SIM is still active.
SIM binding is introduced to:
- Prevent scammers from using one number across multiple devices
- Stop people from registering with one SIM and using the app on another device
- Strengthen user identity verification
- Reduce online financial fraud and impersonation
Officials believe that making apps dependent on the SIM will improve digital safety across the country.
How SIM Binding Will Work on Your Device
1. Device-Level Registration
When you register your account:
- The app will record your device + SIM combination
- The app must verify that the same SIM is still inserted whenever you open it
2. What Happens If You Remove Your SIM Card
If the app detects that the registered SIM is not in the device:
- It must stop working
- Messaging features should be blocked
- You may be forced to re-register with the new SIM
DoT’s Additional Requirement: 6-Hour Auto Logout for Web-based Sessions
Apart from SIM binding, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has asked messaging apps to:
Log out all web-based chat sessions every 6 hours. Example: WhatsApp Web
- WhatsApp: Currently logs out after long inactivity
- Now it must enforce mandatory logout every 6 hours to improve security and reduce misuse, i.e, for every 6 hours we need to authenticate our session by scanning the QR code for WhatsAppApp web to continue.
What Users Should Do Before the Rule Comes Into Force
Here are simple steps to avoid issues later:
- Keep your messaging account registered with your active SIM
- Avoid using messaging apps on devices that don’t have your SIM
- If you plan to change numbers, update apps accordingly
- Enable two-factor authentication on your messaging apps
- Keep your SIM card secure
Praveen Veerapogu’s Insights
India’s new SIM binding rule will be one of the biggest policy changes affecting messaging apps in recent years. While it aims to improve cybersecurity and reduce fraud, it will also bring significant changes to how people use WhatsApp, Arattai, Telegram, Signal, and similar platforms.
As the regulation rolls out in 2026, users may need to adjust their usage habits, but the idea is to ultimately create a safer digital environment for everyone.
Good Information
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