DoT New Rule: The Indian government is not only promoting digital empowerment but is also formulating policies to control crimes resulting from it. In recent days, the Indian government has been implementing several policies aimed at combating cybercrime and preventing fraud through mobile devices. Today, we will discuss one such important policy. The Indian government has issued new guidelines regarding digital communication and messaging apps such as WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, etc.
The number of frauds has been increasing recently due to social connection and messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram. Considering this, the decision to implement a policy like SIM binding has been taken. Normally, apps like WhatsApp and Telegram are activated through a SIM card, but once installed on a device, they continue to function even with an inactive SIM. This has led to an increase in fraud and scams from foreign countries or unidentified individuals through messaging apps, and to curb this, the government has decided to implement a SIM binding policy.
DoT New Sim Binding Policies
Recently, the Department of Telecommunications issued an important guideline known as SIM binding. Under SIM binding, the way messaging apps that are activated by a mobile number are used will completely change. Messaging apps that were activated through a SIM card will now be deactivated if the SIM is removed, changed, or deactivated in the mobile phone. This means that if you buy a new SIM card, install it in your mobile, and register on messaging apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, etc., your app will start working. However, if you remove the SIM from your mobile, change the SIM, or the SIM becomes inactive in your mobile, your messaging app will stop working.
The changes don’t stop there. If you have installed the web or desktop version of WhatsApp, you will have to end the session every 6 hours and log in again. Yes, if you are using WhatsApp on another gadget without a SIM card, it has now become mandatory to log out and log in every 6 hours. While this is undoubtedly an important step that is curbing crimes committed through apps like WhatsApp and Telegram, preventing the use of fake numbers, and even stopping cases of identity theft, this new rule will also affect many users.
Many users use the same number on multiple devices, such as having WhatsApp active on their phone with a SIM card, and then using it on other devices without a SIM card via Wi-Fi, or on tablets and desktops. For them, this will be quite inconvenient.
What is SIM Binding?
Several social networking apps are regulated by the Department of Telecommunications. These include WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, Snapchat, ShareChat, JioChat, Josh, etc. These apps are activated through your mobile number, and now, to keep them active, you will always need to be connected to a SIM card. This means the app will only work if there is a SIM card in your mobile phone. If you remove the SIM card from your phone, change the SIM, or deactivate the SIM, WhatsApp and other social networking apps will stop working.
Furthermore, if you are using the web version of the WhatsApp app installed on your mobile, or using it on a desktop, tablet, etc., or using the app via Wi-Fi on a phone without a SIM card, you will still have to log out every 6 hours.
When will SIM binding decision be implemented?
This SIM binding decision has been implemented to keep messaging apps active. Under this decision, it will now be impossible to operate WhatsApp, Telegram, etc., without a SIM card. And if you are using WhatsApp or Telegram by logging in to the web version, you will have to log in every 6 hours. Or you will have to re-scan the QR code to activate WhatsApp or Telegram. This directive will be implemented nationwide within the next 90 days. This means that this directive will be implemented across the country by February 2026. The reasons cited behind this are issues such as digital security, cyber fraud, and identity theft.
What impact will DoT New Rule have on users?
- As soon as this new SIM binding rule is implemented, all messaging apps will only work on an active SIM card.
- Whenever you remove the SIM from your mobile or deactivate it, WhatsApp/Telegram will stop working.
- Now WhatsApp/Telegram will not work on secondary phone apps either; you will have to log in every 6 hours.
- The biggest disadvantage will be during international travel, where travelers use messaging apps via Wi-Fi on their mobile phones without a SIM card.
- Due to this new rule, people will no longer be able to easily use the web version of messaging apps either.
- This means that if you are using WhatsApp through a computer or tablet, you will have to log in with a QR code every 6 hours; continuous login will no longer be possible.
- This will also become a problem for people who use multiple devices with the same number.
- This means that if you were using the WhatsApp app installed on your phone, tablet, office laptop, etc., with the same number, it would no longer be possible.
The Objective of DoT New Rule
The Department of Telecommunications says that nowadays SIM registration has become very easy. People are getting SIM cards easily. After that, app registration has also become very easy. Nowadays, after installing the app, anyone can use any app freely after only verifying the OTP. In such a situation, frauds related to apps and SIM cards have become easy to commit. Fraudsters are easily committing fraud by changing SIM cards and transferring numbers.
Now, under this new rule, WhatsApp will only work on registered SIM cards, making it easier to track the number if fraud occurs. Once the SIM card is removed from the phone, WhatsApp access will become difficult, thus reducing cases of fraud through WhatsApp if the phone is stolen or lost. And because the number is registered, the telecommunications service provider and the police will be able to easily track the number and the phone. Additionally, web sessions will also log out after 6 hours, which will reduce crimes committed through web sessions.
People Reactions about DoT New Rule
It should be noted that this will be quite troublesome for people who use multiple devices with one number. Especially for developers, office workers, freelancers, and customer support providers who send messages from their computers all day, repeatedly logging in and out will be a hassle. It will also be quite difficult for people who travel frequently and swap SIM cards. Similarly, people who use WhatsApp on different gadgets via Wi-Fi will also face considerable difficulties with this new rule.
However, this new rule will prevent many types of fraud, such as cybercrime, identity theft, fake numbers, and fraud using foreign SIM cards. Even if someone commits fraud in this entire process, it will be much easier to trace them through the number and SIM card because messages/calls will only be linked to the registered SIM.
DoT New Rule
Overall, the scope of digital communication in India has expanded significantly. The mindset of criminals has also changed considerably, and it has become necessary to think two steps ahead of them. Therefore, the Indian government is implementing the SIM binding rule. This rule is not intended to inconvenience customers but has been implemented keeping their security in mind. While it will prevent cybercrime and fraud, it will also provide secure digital communication. However, this rule may cause inconvenience to some users. Now it remains to be seen how the government, app developers, and users will implement this new rule to ensure both security and convenience, and to curb digital fraud and scams.