WhatsApp is developing a SIM verification feature that could restrict access to the app if a user’s registered SIM card is removed from their device. The update, discovered by WABetaInfo in the Android beta version 2.26.8.6, appears aimed at meeting India’s new telecom compliance regulations.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) issued a directive on November 28, 2025, requiring all messaging platforms to enforce continuous SIM verification within 90 days. The rule mandates that apps disable access when a linked SIM is replaced or deactivated, a measure intended to strengthen user identification and curb misuse. The compliance deadline falls in late February 2026, and WhatsApp’s implementation is still under development.
Under the new system, WhatsApp will verify that an account’s SIM card remains active by conducting background checks and occasionally requesting users to re-enter their verification code. Accounts that fail verification could lose access until the user confirms ownership, though chat histories are expected to remain intact. The directive also requires all web-based sessions, such as WhatsApp Web, to automatically log out every six hours, adding another layer of account security.
The DoT described the move as a response to rising incidents of cyber fraud, which have surged across India. Fraudsters often exploit existing verification gaps by continuing to use messaging apps even after a SIM card is deactivated, making them difficult to trace. According to government data, cyber fraud losses reached ₹22,845 crore in 2024, a 206 percent increase from the previous year.
However, the new rules have faced pushback from industry bodies. The Broadband India Forum, representing Meta and Google, called the regulations “disappointing” and urged a pause for technical consultations. Critics argue the rules could inconvenience millions of users, particularly those who use messaging apps across multiple devices, travel internationally, or maintain accounts without a dedicated SIM card.
