50% users oppose DoT's sim-binding rule for messaging apps: Survey
A new survey shows nearly half of Indian users aren't on board with the DoT's plan to link messaging apps to active SIM cards, mainly because it could make things less convenient.
Why are people worried?
About 60% expect their messaging experience to get disrupted if this rule kicks in.
Many (39%) use these apps on devices without SIM cards—like tablets or laptops—which could become a hassle.
Still, two-thirds think SIM-binding might help cut down on fraud.
Travel and multi-device headaches
Over half the respondents said they don't want to lose access to their chats just because their Indian SIM is inactive while traveling abroad.
The rule would also force frequent logouts from web sessions, which isn't great for people who use multiple devices or work setups.
What happens next?
The DoT wants messaging apps to check for active SIMs and log out web sessions every six hours, giving companies 120 days to comply.
While telecom groups support this for better security, experts say it could bring technical and privacy challenges—especially for business users.
There's growing support for making SIM-binding optional instead of mandatory.