Key Takeaways
- New Rule: WhatsApp Web and similar services must log users out every 6 hours.
- Core Requirement: Web access will be tied to the physical SIM card in the user’s phone.
- Deadline: Platforms have 90 days to implement; compliance reports due in 4 months.
- Goal: To curb cyber fraud by making messaging activity traceable to a physical subscriber.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has mandated that popular messaging platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal must log users out of their web versions every six hours. This new rule, part of enhanced cybersecurity measures, requires the user’s service to be permanently bound to their phone’s SIM card.
Once implemented, users will be unable to access WhatsApp Web or similar services unless the original registered SIM is physically present in their device. The directive gives platforms 90 days to roll out the changes and four months to submit a formal compliance report to the government.
Impact on User Experience and Security Rationale
This move will significantly disrupt the seamless multi-device workflow many professionals rely on, where WhatsApp Web remains active throughout the workday. The government argues the step is necessary to prevent the misuse of messaging apps by cyber fraudsters, who often operate from outside India without a linked SIM, making them hard to trace.
By making SIM binding mandatory, authorities aim to link all messaging activity directly to a verified physical subscriber. The rule stems from the Telecommunication Cybersecurity Amendment Rules, 2025, which introduced the (TIUE) framework.
Technical Changes and Industry Reaction
To comply, platforms will need to access the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) from the user’s SIM card. This will force global services like WhatsApp to re-engineer parts of their system specifically for the Indian market.
The tech industry has raised concerns, stating that constant SIM checks and frequent logouts will erode user privacy, break multi-device convenience, and complicate access while travelling. In contrast, telecom operators have supported the government’s move towards greater accountability and security.
