DoT mandates SIM binding from January 2027 for OTT messaging apps

NEW DELHI: India has made SIM binding mandatory from Jan 1, 2027, and the move will mean that messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram will not work without a SIM card in the smartphone. The department of telecom has issued guidelines requiring messaging platforms to integrate the accounts with live SIMs used for registration by Dec 31, 2026. If the SIM is removed, replaced or deactivated, the app’s functionality will stop until a valid SIM is reinserted.