SIM-binding rules start Jan 1, 2027: what messaging app users should know

India's SIM-binding rules take effect from January 1, 2027, with a compliance deadline of December 31, 2026, as reported by Hindustan Times, Inc42 and Mint. Under the rule, a service must stay linked to the active SIM of the user's registered number. A one-time check at sign-up is no longer enough, according to Inc42.

The mandate comes from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), first reported by Inc42. The original directions named WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, Snapchat, Arattai, ShareChat, Josh and JioChat, also first reported by Inc42. Those directions gave platforms 90 days to implement and 120 days for compliance reports. The government later set December 31, 2026 for SIM binding. Hindustan Times first reported that the six-hour web logout rule was withdrawn and replaced by risk-based logouts.

The aim is to curb cyber fraud and misuse of Indian numbers by fraudsters abroad, per Inc42 and Mint. DoT said accounts keep working after the SIM is removed, deactivated or moved abroad, which enables anonymous scams. Inc42 first reported cyber fraud losses of ₹22,495 Cr in 2025 and ₹22,845 Cr in 2024. It also cited about ₹52,976 Cr over six years from NHRC, with nearly 8% from digital arrest scams. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "At a time when telecom and digital technology have become so important, it is equally important to make the security framework associated with it ironclad. It is our priority to secure mobile phones and networks," first reported by Inc42.

Platforms are at different stages, per CNBC via Inc42. WhatsApp and Arattai are working to comply. Telegram is unclear, Signal has not responded, and Snapchat says the rule is not applicable. Inc42 first reported that Apple updated iOS to support SIM binding, that international roaming is unaffected if the SIM stays in the handset, and that eSIM requirements are unclear.