New Delhi, Nov 29 (LatestNewsX) — India’s telecom regulator has dropped a sweeping order that could alter how millions switch on messaging apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, Snapchat, ShareChat, JioChat, Arattai, and Josh.
Under the new Telecommunication Cybersecurity Amendment Rules, 2025, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has told these services that they must tie each active session to a SIM card in the user’s device. The legislation is the first that subjects app‑based communications to a telecom‑style regulatory regime, with the affected platforms referred to as Telecommunication Identifier User Entities (TIUEs).
DoT requires a continuous SIM‑binding for every user, and the link must be maintained for at least 90 days. For browser‑based access, the government adds another hurdle: apps must force a logout after six hours, forcing users to authenticate again via a QR code. The agency says the measure will thwart remote crime by making it harder for hackers to hijack sessions that lack a verified, active SIM.
Officials say the rule closes a major blind spot in current app verification procedures. Today, most apps validate a phone number only once—when the app is first installed—and then keep running even if that SIM is removed or deactivated. The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) has warned that this independence from SIM cards opens the door to abuse.
Cybercriminals, including those based outside India, can exploit the loophole by keeping the app active after a SIM change or deactivation, rendering it difficult for authorities to trace fraud via call logs, location data, or telecom records. The COAI argues that mandatory SIM binding would re‑establish a dependable link among the user, their phone number, and the device, potentially cutting down on spam, fraudulent calls, and financial scams.
Additive checks already exist in other domains. Banking and UPI apps enforce strict SIM verification to stave off unauthorised access, and SEBI has proposed linking SIM cards to trading accounts while adding facial‑recognition steps for extra security.
Industry experts remain split on the effectiveness of the new rules. Some cybersecurity specialists told MediaNama that scammers might still get fresh SIM cards by forging IDs, limiting the impact. Telecom lobbyists, however, contend that mobile numbers remain India’s strongest digital identity and that the mandate will strengthen cybersecurity and accountability.
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