India SIM-binding rules may block WhatsApp without a registered SIM
Original title: WhatsApp May Stop Working Without Registered SIM Under New Rules
Covered apps have until December 31, 2026, with the requirement expected to take effect on January 1, 2027.
India's Department of Telecommunications wants messaging accounts to stay tied to the active SIM of their registered number, a rule known as SIM binding. Officials say criminals keep using Indian numbers for phishing and fraud after the SIM is removed. WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, Snapchat and several Indian apps are named. A blanket six-hour web logout has reportedly been replaced by risk-based logouts, and disruption will depend on each platform.
Unconfirmed: January 1, 2027 is the expected date; whether every unsupported setup stops working then is not confirmed.
- Directions were issued on November 28, 2025, under the Telecom Cyber Security Rules, 2024.
- Named services include WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, Snapchat, Arattai, ShareChat, Josh and JioChat.
- The government cited cyber-fraud losses exceeding ₹22,800 crore in 2024.
- Roaming is unaffected if the registered SIM stays in the handset.
- Users are advised to review WhatsApp Linked Devices and remove unfamiliar sessions.
- 1.Review WhatsApp Linked Devices and remove unfamiliar sessions.
- Vendors
- Meta
- Organizations
- Department of Telecommunications
- Countries
- India
From the original article
2 min read at cybersecuritynews.com
WhatsApp users in India may face access issues without a registered SIM under new government rules expected to take effect on January 1, 2027. Messaging platforms reportedly have until December 31, 2026, to comply. The change could affect people using accounts on secondary phones, tablets, and devices without an active registered SIM.
By Abinaya · cybersecuritynews.com
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