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The Department of Telecommunications, known as DoT, is reported to have prolonged the SIM-binding requirement until the year's end. This rule, first introduced in November 2025, aims to reduce digital scams and identity theft by making sure that registered identities are always linked to telecom user records. A report indicates that social media companies mentioned difficulties in putting this into action, and smartphone manufacturers have also requested more time to implement this necessary feature. According to sources close to the situation, Moneycontrol has reported that companies were separately notified about the delay in the SIM binding requirement starting from March 30. An unnamed source mentioned to the publication, “The department has pushed back the deadline and has informed all involved parties. ”

Messaging platforms and social media apps like Signal, Telegram, and WhatsApp have reportedly noted issues with implementation. Well-known smartphone brands and operating system developers, such as Apple and Google, have also asked for an extended deadline. The report highlights that Apple highlighted technical issues within the iOS system and requested additional time while exploring workable solutions.

Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, has reportedly been in talks with the DoT to agree on a practical approach. The messaging platform is already working to include SIM binding support in India, following the DoT's guidance. This function was first announced to be in progress in February, with indications that the app would notify users about needing to verify their SIM card's presence in their phone. However, this feature is still being developed and has not yet been made available in the public version of WhatsApp. This directive from the Department of Telecommunications is an update to the Telecommunication Cyber Security (TCS) Rules of 2024. The updated rules are referred to as the Telecommunication Cyber Security (TCS) Amendment Rules, 2025. The legislation stipulates that the messaging service must carry out ongoing verification of the SIM, requiring that the user account stays linked to the active SIM card that was used during registration. The DoT has set a 90-day timeframe for service providers to implement this.

This mandate applies to messaging services categorized as Telecommunication Identifier User Entities, or TIUEs. This includes well-known messaging platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, Snapchat, and Messenger. This decision is believed to be aimed at reducing the rising cases of digital impersonation, financial fraud, online scams, and identity misuse that occur through messaging apps.