The Indian government has postponed the enforcement of its controversial SIM binding directive until December 31, providing temporary relief to OTT messaging platforms and users due to significant opposition from major tech companies.
The SIM binding directive faced considerable backlash from tech giants like Apple, Google, Meta, WhatsApp, and Microsoft. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) had previously mandated that OTT messaging services like WhatsApp and Telegram remain continuously linked to a mobile SIM card, a decision that raised alarm across the industry.
DoT’s directives for SIM binding required that OTT messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram maintain a constant connection with the SIM card. Additionally, the DoT mandated periodic logouts every six hours for web and laptop versions of these messaging applications, raising issues regarding user convenience and operational practicality.
As previously reported on February 27, leading technology firms addressed a letter to the DoT Secretary, challenging the SIM binding directive on grounds of unconstitutionality and overreach beyond the Telecom Act’s stipulations. The Broadband India Forum, which includes companies like Amazon, Google, Meta, WhatsApp, and Microsoft, also deemed the Telecommunications (Telecom Cyber Security) Amendment Rules, 2025 as legally unsound and urged the government to revise the provisions promptly.
The DoT had issued guidelines for SIM binding under the revised Telecom Cyber Security Rules, requiring app-based communication services to stay linked to the mobile SIM card. This regulation would render the use of services like WhatsApp or Telegram impossible without an active SIM card. Furthermore, messaging applications were instructed to log out users from web-based services on laptops and PCs every six hours.
The extension of the deadline indicates that the government might be willing to revisit certain elements of the directive amid growing legal and industry concerns while discussions among stakeholders are ongoing.
