India to Implement Active SIM Requirement for WhatsApp and Telegram Starting January 2027

Technology News

India to Implement Active SIM Requirement for WhatsApp and Telegram Starting January 2027

Tech in Asia

India to require active SIMs for WhatsApp, Telegram in 2027

10/25/2026

Web versions must log users out at least every six hours, allowing relinking via QR code.

Economic Times

WhatsApp, Telegram must be tied to an active SIM from Jan 1: DoT issues guidelines

10/24/2026

The Department of Telecommunications has issued guidelines for messaging apps to link accounts to active SIM cards. Users will need to ensure registered numbers are connected to active SIM cards...

NEWS18

WhatsApp, Telegram Won't Work Without Active SIM From January 1, 2027: What Users Must Know

10/23/2026

Under mandatory SIM binding, messaging applications must remain linked to the specific, active SIM card associated with the mobile number used to identify the user.

MoneyControl

WhatsApp, Telegram and other messaging apps to stop working from January 1, 2027: Here's what you need to...

10/23/2026

The Department of Telecommunications has mandated SIM binding for messaging apps from January 1, 2027, meaning WhatsApp, Telegram and others will stop working without the registered SIM inside the...

India Today

SIM binding starts January 1, what happens to WhatsApp, Telegram?

10/23/2026

SIM binding is set to be mandatory from January 1, 2027. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has confirmed messaging apps must verify that the mobile number associated with an account is...

Brand Equity

DoT mandates SIM binding from January 2027 for OTT messaging apps

10/23/2026

From Jan 1, messaging services to be used will have to ensure a registered SIM card is installed in a device. This is likely to impact users of WhatsApp or Telegram over Wi-Fi without registered...

MoneyControl

Why WhatsApp, Telegram and other instant messaging apps may stop working as per the new SIM Binding rule...

10/23/2026

From January 1, 2027, chat apps tied to Indian phone numbers must confirm a working SIM inside the handset, under new DoT norms designed to tackle online fraud.