India Mandates SIM Binding for Messaging Apps to Prevent Fraud

First reported

02.12.2025 19:46

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India's Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has ordered messaging apps to enforce SIM binding to prevent fraud and misuse. The directive requires apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal to link accounts to active SIM cards and implement periodic re-authentication. This move aims to close security gaps exploited for phishing, scams, and cyber fraud. The new rules also introduce periodic session logouts for web services to reduce account takeover risks. The DoT emphasizes that these measures will help trace numbers used in various scams and enhance digital transaction trust. The directive is part of a broader effort to combat identity fraud and mule accounts, following the establishment of a Mobile Number Validation (MNV) platform.

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02.12.2025 19:46 1 articles · 23h ago

India Mandates SIM Binding for Messaging Apps to Prevent Fraud
India's Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has ordered messaging apps to enforce SIM binding to prevent fraud and misuse. The directive requires apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal to link accounts to active SIM cards and implement periodic re-authentication. This move aims to close security gaps exploited for phishing, scams, and cyber fraud. The new rules also introduce periodic session logouts for web services to reduce account takeover risks. The DoT emphasizes that these measures will help trace numbers used in various scams and enhance digital transaction trust. The directive is part of a broader effort to combat identity fraud and mule accounts, following the establishment of a Mobile Number Validation (MNV) platform.
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India Orders Messaging Apps to Work Only With Active SIM Cards to Prevent Fraud and Misuse — thehackernews.com — 02.12.2025 19:46
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The DoT has directed messaging apps to ensure accounts cannot be used without an active SIM card linked to the user's mobile number.
First reported: 02.12.2025 19:46

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- India Orders Messaging Apps to Work Only With Active SIM Cards to Prevent Fraud and Misuse — thehackernews.com — 02.12.2025 19:46
Messaging apps must comply with the directive within 90 days.
First reported: 02.12.2025 19:46

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- India Orders Messaging Apps to Work Only With Active SIM Cards to Prevent Fraud and Misuse — thehackernews.com — 02.12.2025 19:46
The amendment to the Telecommunications (Telecom Cyber Security) Rules, 2024, aims to combat misuse of telecommunication identifiers for phishing, scams, and cyber fraud.
First reported: 02.12.2025 19:46

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- India Orders Messaging Apps to Work Only With Active SIM Cards to Prevent Fraud and Misuse — thehackernews.com — 02.12.2025 19:46
The directive mandates continuous linking of app-based communication services to the SIM card installed in the device.
First reported: 02.12.2025 19:46

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- India Orders Messaging Apps to Work Only With Active SIM Cards to Prevent Fraud and Misuse — thehackernews.com — 02.12.2025 19:46
Web service instances of messaging platforms must log out users every six hours and require re-linking via a QR code.
First reported: 02.12.2025 19:46

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- India Orders Messaging Apps to Work Only With Active SIM Cards to Prevent Fraud and Misuse — thehackernews.com — 02.12.2025 19:46
The DoT noted that these restrictions reduce the scope for account takeover attacks, remote control misuse, and mule account operations.
First reported: 02.12.2025 19:46

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- India Orders Messaging Apps to Work Only With Active SIM Cards to Prevent Fraud and Misuse — thehackernews.com — 02.12.2025 19:46
The new rules ensure that every active account on messaging apps is tied to a KYC-verified SIM, allowing authorities to trace numbers used in scams.
First reported: 02.12.2025 19:46

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- India Orders Messaging Apps to Work Only With Active SIM Cards to Prevent Fraud and Misuse — thehackernews.com — 02.12.2025 19:46
The SIM-binding and automatic session logout rules are already applicable to banking and UPI apps, and now extend to messaging apps.
First reported: 02.12.2025 19:46

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- India Orders Messaging Apps to Work Only With Active SIM Cards to Prevent Fraud and Misuse — thehackernews.com — 02.12.2025 19:46
The DoT plans to establish a Mobile Number Validation (MNV) platform to curb mule accounts and identity fraud.
First reported: 02.12.2025 19:46

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- India Orders Messaging Apps to Work Only With Active SIM Cards to Prevent Fraud and Misuse — thehackernews.com — 02.12.2025 19:46
The MNV platform will allow service providers to validate mobile numbers through a decentralized and privacy-compliant platform.
First reported: 02.12.2025 19:46

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- India Orders Messaging Apps to Work Only With Active SIM Cards to Prevent Fraud and Misuse — thehackernews.com — 02.12.2025 19:46