Overview
- Directions issued November 28 give providers including WhatsApp, Telegram and Signal 90 days to enforce continuous SIM–device binding and to auto-log out web and desktop sessions every six hours.
- The telecom ministry cites rising cyber fraud and reports ₹228 billion (about $2.5 billion) in losses in 2024 as the rationale for the measures.
- WhatsApp’s deep penetration in India—over 500 million users and heavy use of WhatsApp Business on web and desktop—means small merchants and everyday users could face significant disruption.
- Industry body BIF and experts at a MediaNama forum say continuous SIM checks are technically unworkable on iOS and modern Android and would break multi-device, cloud-based and remote workflows.
- Tech policy advisers say companies have limited immediate legal options, with any court challenge needing to show the directions exceed legal scope or violate constitutional protections.