The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is set to enforce new SIM linked rules for messaging apps in India. One of the new rules say that WhatsApp Web will now log users out every six hours, breaking the seamless multi-device experience many rely on.
The DoT says this is necessary to prevent misuse of messaging apps for cyber fraud. The change also effectively removes the convenience of keeping WhatsApp Web running throughout the workday.
DoT has issued a directive that will require platforms such as WhatsApp, Signal and Telegram to bind their services directly to the SIM card used during registration. After 90 days, users will no longer be able to access these apps unless the original SIM is present in the device.
Because the service must remain tied to the SIM in the phone, WhatsApp Web sessions will now be forcibly logged out every six hours.
The new directive comes from the Telecommunication Cybersecurity Amendment Rules, 2025, which introduced the idea of a Telecommunication Identifier User Entity. Essentially, any platform that uses mobile numbers to identify users must now ensure that the number is tied to an active SIM inside the device.
According to arguments put forth by officials, cyber fraudsters exploit WhatsApp without having the SIM present, often from outside India. Forcing SIM binding gives the government a way to trace activity to a physical subscriber.
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