If you do this, WhatsApp and Telegram will be shut down; new government rule to take effect from January 1st..

Popular messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram may become inaccessible to many users starting next year. The rules governing the use of these messaging apps are set to change in India. In the near future, to continue using their preferred chat services, Indian smartphone users will be required to keep the SIM card—associated with the mobile number registered to these apps—inside their phones. The central government’s new "SIM-binding" regulations are set to be implemented in the country soon.

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has directed these internet-based communication services to link all active accounts with government-KYC-verified SIM cards, with a final deadline set for December 31, 2026. The primary objective of these new rules is to strengthen security by linking mobile numbers to the social media accounts associated with them. This is intended to prevent hackers and cybercriminals from carrying out online fraud through these messaging apps. However, once these rules come into effect, users who rely solely on home or office Wi-Fi—without a SIM card in their device—may face significant difficulties in logging into or accessing these apps.

Many smartphone users will be affected
This new government directive will specifically impact smartphone users who operate WhatsApp or Telegram via Wi-Fi without having a SIM card inserted in their device. The new rule will apply to both iOS and Android smartphones. Apple has already begun making the necessary adjustments to its iOS software; in September, the company released a software update capable of detecting whether or not a SIM card is present in an iPhone.

Individuals who use the same mobile number to access WhatsApp across multiple tablets or laptops, those who frequently travel abroad, or those who keep their primary SIM card removed from their phone will need to review their settings and ensure a SIM card is available, in compliance with these new regulations.

What are the changes to the rules?

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) issued the initial directive regarding this on November 28, 2025. The preliminary draft included several rules focused on security, which were later refined to be more practical. Initially, the government proposed a rule requiring sessions on WhatsApp Web or computer screens to automatically log out every 6 hours. However, the department subsequently withdrew this requirement. It has been replaced by a "risk-based logout" policy, under which an account will be immediately terminated if any suspicious or fraudulent activity is detected.

The deadline for full compliance with these rules is December 31, 2026, and they will become fully operational starting January 1, 2027. It should be noted that there is no rule stating that WhatsApp will stop working on specific phone models from January 1. The only requirement is that the SIM card used to create the WhatsApp account must be present in the phone, allowing the app to periodically comply with government regulations.

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