WhatsApp and Telegram users may need to keep their registered SIM cards available to continue using the messaging services as the government’s SIM-binding rules take effect. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has directed covered app-based communication services to link accounts with KYC-verified SIM cards, with the compliance deadline set for December 31, 2026.The rules are intended to strengthen the link between a mobile number and the account registered with it, making it harder to misuse messaging services for fraud.
Under the requirements, users who rely on Wi-Fi without their registered SIM card may face access issues.Which phones will be affected by SIM binding?The requirements could affect smartphones on which users operate WhatsApp or Telegram without keeping the registered SIM card inserted. This includes iPhones and Android phones, depending on how the services implement the rules.Apple has reportedly made changes to iOS to support SIM binding, with a software update released in September to help detect when an iPhone does not have a SIM card.
However, the precise list of affected devices and the extent of the restrictions will depend on implementation by the respective platforms. Users who access their messaging accounts across multiple devices, travel abroad or use a phone primarily over Wi-Fi may also need to check how the rules affect their setup.- Ends