Major Relief for WhatsApp Users: Deadline for SIM Binding Rules Extended; Time Granted Until December 31, 2026..

The Government of India has extended the deadline for implementing SIM-binding rules for messaging apps such as WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal until December 31, 2026. Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, Minister of State for Communications, provided this information in a written response to the House. He stated that there is no fixed timeline for the web logout requirement; a risk-based analysis will be conducted, following which a decision will be taken. It is worth noting that under the SIM-binding rules, a messaging platform will only be able to provide its services on a mobile device if an active SIM card is present in that device.

**Instructions Issued to Messaging Service Providers**

In his written response to the House, the Minister of State for Communications stated that certain app-based communication service providers have been instructed to link the SIM cards present in their customers' mobile devices with the respective apps.

**No Deadline Set for Web Version Logout**

According to the Minister of State for Communications, this linkage will be established using the mobile number utilized for the customer's identification or for the provision of services.

The Minister informed the House that, pursuant to these instructions and based on a risk assessment, it will become mandatory to log out the web versions of these mobile apps (apps accessed via desktop or browser) periodically.
The government has not set a specific deadline for the process of logging out from the web versions.

**Initial Deadline Set for February 26**

On November 28, 2025, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) had directed several messaging-based communication service providers to ensure that, starting February 26, their services remain continuously linked to an active SIM card present in the device.

**Cyber Fraudsters Were Exploiting the Loophole**

The DoT has asked all service provider companies to submit a compliance report by March 28.

The DoT proposed these rules because cyber fraudsters were exploiting this loophole to perpetrate digital fraud on a large scale.
Through device-binding with an active SIM and periodic logouts, every active account and web session will be linked to a KYC-verified SIM card. This will enable the tracing of numbers used for phishing, investment fraud, and "digital arrest" scams.

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