The government has mandated SIM binding for messaging apps. This means that messaging apps can now only be accessed on devices with the same SIM used for registration.

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has taken a new step regarding cybersecurity and has asked messaging apps to implement SIM binding. This will affect apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, Snapchat, ShareChat, and JioChat. Once SIM binding is implemented, users will be unable to use these messaging platforms without an active SIM. The government has classified messaging platforms as Telecommunications Identifier User Entity (TIUE) and given them 90 days to ensure that their apps are always active and associated with the same SIM used for registration. Users have some concerns regarding SIM binding. Today, in Tech Explainer, we're going to explain what SIM binding is and how it will affect users.

What is SIM binding?

Simply put, SIM binding means that messaging apps can only be accessed on a device that has the same SIM used to register on the platform. If that SIM is removed from the device, deactivated, or replaced, the app will automatically log the user out. The benefits of SIM binding include preventing fraud and securing transactions. Furthermore, even if a user's credentials are leaked, their login remains protected.

Why is this rule being implemented?

The Department of Telecommunications stated that the central government has noticed that apps that identify their customers by mobile number are allowing their services to be used even without a SIM card in the device. This poses a threat to telecom cybersecurity and is being misused to commit cyber fraud from outside the country. Messaging platforms have been given 90 days to ensure that their services remain linked to the SIM card used for registration. If a device does not have the registered SIM card, the service will be automatically disabled. Additionally, associated web services will automatically log out within six hours. This means that if you are using WhatsApp Web or other services linked to your phone, you will be automatically logged out after six hours. You will need to log in again to use it again.

How will this impact customers?

This decision will most impact customers who travel abroad and use different SIM cards for different countries. Currently, if someone uses a new SIM card abroad, there is no need to re-register on apps like WhatsApp, and their old account continues to function. This will no longer happen. Now, if a user inserts a new SIM card into their mobile, their old account will automatically be logged out.

This decision will also affect users who use the web interfaces of these apps, such as Web WhatsApp. After the new rule is implemented, users will automatically log out every six hours. This will force them to log in repeatedly, disrupting their work. In many cases, people don't keep their mobile phones with them after logging in once. For such individuals, the new rules may prove to be frustrating.

Many households in India have multiple devices registered to a single SIM card. Children often use WhatsApp and other apps after registering with their parents' numbers. Therefore, the new rules will affect them as well.

Will this rule prevent cybercrime?

The government claims this rule is being implemented to curb cybercrime, but experts are divided on this issue. They believe this may curb some scams, but it won't completely prevent fraud. Experts say cybercriminals purchase SIM cards using fake IDs and then commit cybercrimes. In such cases, this method would be insufficient. Similarly, they say that fraudsters based abroad target people using SIM cloning (making fake copies of SIM cards). In such cases, SIM binding won't be able to distinguish between cloned and genuine SIM cards. Furthermore, many scams are perpetrated by individuals based abroad, and Indian laws cannot be applied there.