DoT extends SIM binding deadline to December 2026 for messaging
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has given affected stakeholders more time, until December 2026, to follow the new SIM binding rule.
This means apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal will eventually have to link your account to the specific SIM card you used when signing up.
The idea is to make it harder for scammers to sneak in using duplicate numbers or stolen OTPs.
Apple Meta technical issues delay deadline
The deadline was pushed back because tech giants like Apple flagged some real technical roadblocks: Apple flagged technical constraints within its iOS ecosystem, and Meta is still figuring things out for Android.
Industry groups also raised concerns about how this could mess with dual-SIM users and people who travel internationally.
For now, these groups are working with the DoT to find solutions that address implementation concerns while keeping online security tight.