Indian users of WhatsApp are set to face major changes as the Department of Telecommunications begins enforcing new SIM based verification rules. The biggest shift will be seen on WhatsApp Web because the platform will no longer stay logged in for extended periods. Instead, WhatsApp Web sessions will now automatically log out every 6 hours, creating a significant change in how users access the service on laptops and desktops.
Under the new directive, all major messaging apps including WhatsApp, Signal and Telegram must directly link every account to the SIM card used during registration. Users have been given 90 days to ensure the original SIM remains inside their device if they want to continue using WhatsApp and other platforms without disruption. This rule is part of the Telecommunication Cybersecurity Amendment Rules 2025, which introduce the idea of a Telecommunication Identifier User Entity to confirm that any mobile number based service is tied to an active SIM. Authorities say this is necessary to reduce cyber fraud where attackers often use messaging accounts without having the registered SIM.
These rules bring a major change to the current multidevice experience. Since WhatsApp Web must now stay tied to the SIM in the primary phone, the system will automatically end every active session within 6 hours. The Department of Telecommunications says this step will help track online activity to verified users, though many people may find the repeated logout process inconvenient during work or long browsing sessions. This adjustment means that WhatsApp users will need to keep their primary phone powered on and ensure the SIM remains active at all times.
The new requirement also forces other messaging platforms to update their systems to read the IMSI stored on the SIM card for Indian accounts. With more than 500 million WhatsApp users in India, this shift will require major technical changes from developers. For users, the new rules mean that everyday habits of accessing WhatsApp across multiple devices will be less seamless and more closely connected to the physical SIM card inside their mobile phone.
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