Paper: GS – III, Subject: Science and Technology, Topic: Communication and ICT, Issue: SIM Binding.
Context:
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has issued a major directive requiring OTT messaging platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, and others to implement mandatory SIM binding a system.
Key Takeaways:
- The rule, derived from the Telecommunication Cybersecurity Amendment Rules, 2025, aims to curb rising cyber-fraud cases but has triggered strong concerns regarding privacy, usability, global interoperability, and user inconvenience.
- At the heart of the policy is the concept of Telecommunication Identifier User Entity (TIUE), which brings online messaging platforms under telecom-style regulation.
Why the government introduced SIM binding
- The government states that cyber-fraudsters often exploit OTT apps without keeping the SIM active in the device.
- Many scammers operate from outside India using WhatsApp-like services without an Indian SIM physically present.
- SIM binding ensures that: A device stays tied to a verified mobile identity. Fraudsters cannot easily bypass telecom security layers.
- The government believes this will improve traceability and deterrence.
How It Affects WhatsApp Web
- Periodic Logouts: WhatsApp Web sessions will automatically end every 6 hours, requiring users to re-scan a QR code with the phone app to relink, ensuring the primary SIM is active during verification.
- SIM Dependency: Web access ties directly to the phone’s SIM; without the registered SIM in the device, re-verification fails, logging users out and disrupting multi-device use.
- Technical Shift: Apps move beyond one-time OTP to ongoing IMSI checks, preventing use on Wi-Fi-only devices or with foreign SIMs post-registration
Sim binding for messing apps:
The new SIM-binding rule also introduces significant challenges related to privacy, global usability, and user convenience. Balancing security concerns with user rights, technical feasibility, and global interoperability will be crucial as India moves toward a more regulated OTT communication ecosystem.
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