Govt Mandates SIM Linking for WhatsApp, Telegram and All Major Messaging Apps

Brief By Newsbrief / 7:56 PM on 30 Nov 2025

The Department of Telecommunications has ordered all major OTT messaging platforms, including WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, Snapchat, ShareChat and JioChat, to implement mandatory SIM binding for user accounts. The move aims to curb rising online fraud and digital impersonation. Companies have been given 90 days to ensure accounts work only with an active SIM in the user’s device.