Big relief to messaging app users…. Date of implementation of SIM Binding rule extended till 31st December

New Delhi. In view of the increasing cases of digital fraud and online cheating, the government is continuously implementing new rules. In this series, the government has made SIM binding rules for messaging apps like WhatsApp, Telegram and Signal. Earlier the government had planned to implement this rule from March 1, but the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has given big relief to the messaging platforms. The government has now extended the last date for implementing the SIM binding rule till the end of the year till 31 December 2026.

In fact, these platforms told the government that they were facing many technical difficulties in implementing this rule, hence they had asked for more time. On this, the government has accepted his point and extended the deadline. According to Bussiness sources, DoT had started informing companies about this decision separately from March 30.

Not only messaging apps, but mobile manufacturing companies and operating system providing companies like Google and Apple had also asked for more time to implement this rule. In particular, Apple said that its iOS system has some technical limitations, due to which it is difficult to implement this rule immediately. However, the company is working on it and trying to find a solution. Under this rule, now these apps will have to be designed in such a way that they work only when the user’s registered SIM is present in the same phone. That means if the SIM is removed or replaced, the app may stop working.

This is how this rule works

The SIM Binding rule has been designed in such a way that messaging apps like WhatsApp, Telegram and Signal remain linked to the SIM card present in the user’s mobile. To understand easily, if the number with which you have created a WhatsApp account, the same SIM should be in your phone. If the SIM is removed, replaced, or disabled, app access may be limited or the account may stop working. The purpose of this rule is to confirm that every account is linked to a real and active mobile number, so that fake accounts and cyber fraud can be prevented.

This rule is necessary

Actually, the need for this rule was felt because in recent times, cases of online fraud, fake WhatsApp accounts and cyber crimes have increased rapidly. Many people use messaging apps even without an active SIM, which makes it difficult to track their identity. In such a situation, with the SIM Binding rule, it will be easy to link every account to a real mobile number, which will increase security and prevent misuse.