SIM binding mandatory for WhatsApp users in India from March 1

new delhi: the government has made sim binding mandatory for whatsapp users in india from march 1, requiring accounts to remain linked to the physical sim card inserted in the primary mobile device, officials said.the new requirement has been introduced under the telecom cyber security rules, 2024, enforced by the department of telecommunications (dot), as part of efforts to strengthen digital security and curb rising cyber fraud.under the revised framework, whatsapp will periodically verify whether the registered sim card is physically present in the user's primary phone. if the sim card is removed, replaced or deactivated, access to the messaging platform may be restricted until the original sim is reinserted and verified.officials said the move is aimed at preventing misuse of mobile numbers by fraudsters who authenticate accounts once and operate them remotely, often from outside the country, making tracing difficult.the new rule is also expected to affect usage of whatsapp web, desktop applications and linked devices, as users may be required to periodically re-authenticate using their primary device with the active sim.according to government data, cyber fraud losses in india exceeded rs 22,800 crore in 2024, prompting authorities to introduce stricter verification mechanisms.whatsapp has reportedly begun notifying users about the change and testing continuous sim verification features.authorities have advised users to ensure that their whatsapp account is linked to their active sim and to update the application regularly to avoid service disruptions.