Department of Telecommunications Extends Deadline for Mandatory SIM-Binding of WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal to Year-End

Department of Telecommunications Extends Deadline for Messaging Platforms to Comply with SIM Binding Directive

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has extended the deadline for messaging platforms such as WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram to comply with its SIM binding directive until the end of the year. The move comes after the social media platforms raised technical issues and sought additional time, sources told Moneycontrol.

The request for more time was not limited to messaging platforms. Handset makers and operating system providers such as Google and Apple also sought more time, citing technical constraints within their ecosystems. For instance, Apple flagged technical constraints within its iOS ecosystem and is working on possible solutions.

Under the proposed framework, a messaging account would be tied exclusively to the physical SIM used during registration, meaning the service would function only when that SIM is present in the device. The move is aimed at curbing fraud, as authorities said bad actors often exploit duplicated numbers or intercept OTPs to gain unauthorized access through secondary devices.

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Communications minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has called SIM binding a necessity for national security. The directive, issued in November 2025, requires platforms using mobile numbers as identifiers to ensure continuous linkage between accounts and the SIM installed in the user's device. It also sought to prevent usage without an active SIM, as part of broader efforts to tackle misuse of telecom identifiers and cross-border cyber fraud.

The directive also introduces tighter controls on web-based access. Platforms would be required to log users out at least once every six hours, with re-authentication - typically via QR code - needed to continue usage.

Comparison of Timeline Extensions

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Companies were given 90 days - until end-February 2026 - to comply, with an additional 30 days to submit reports. However, the deadline was missed. While the DoT earlier indicated flexibility until March-end, it has extended the timeline following industry representations.

The proposal faced pushback from the industry, with companies raising concerns about feasibility and user experience. Enforcing persistent SIM binding across devices and sessions would require significant architectural changes, along with coordination with operating system providers, they said.

TV Ramachandran, president of the Broadband India Forum (BIF), which represents companies such as Meta and Google, flagged "serious concerns" over the directive. He urged the government to pause implementation timelines and engage in wider stakeholder consultations. The logging off requirements could inadvertently extend telecom-style regulations to digital and OTT services.

The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) also wrote to the communications ministry, cautioning that the mandate could adversely affect businesses, particularly MSMEs. Compulsory periodic logouts could disrupt ongoing conversations, delay responses, and interfere with day-to-day business operations, it said.