WhatsApp, Telegram and other OTT companies are ‘upset’ with government over new rule that Airtel, Vodafone-Idea and Reliance Jio have congratulated DoT for

Two of the biggest industry bodies in India — BIF and COAI are fighting again. This time over the government’s new circular mandating SIM Binding for OTT platforms. Broadband India Forum or BIF represents major technology companies such as WhatsApp parent Meta, Google and others; while Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) is the country’s biggest telecom body, whose members include Reliance Jio, Airtel and Vodafone Idea. BIF has flagged “serious concerns” regarding the government’s recent directive mandating a continuous, active SIM connection for the use of messaging applications. The forum has urged the Centre to pause implementation timelines and immediately hold stakeholder consultations on the issue. COAI on its part has welcomed the new DoT guidelines. Indian telecom companies body COAI said that making SIM binding mandatory would keep a reliable link between the user, the number, and the device, which could help reduce spam, fraud calls, and financial scams.