India Mandates Active SIM Cards for Messaging Platforms to Enhance Security | AI News Digest
Tech experts report that India has introduced new security protocols requiring messaging services such as WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal to function exclusively with active SIM cards registered to Indian mobile numbers. This 'SIM-binding' initiative seeks to mitigate security risks that have enabled cybercriminals to misuse these platforms for fraudulent activities. According to the updated Telecommunications (Telecom Cyber Security) Rules, 2024, users will be required to re-verify their accounts every six hours while using WhatsApp Web, as sessions will automatically time out. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has given these platforms a 90-day window to comply, enhancing the ability to trace accounts linked to cybercrime. This move is part of a larger strategy to strengthen digital security and curb the exploitation of telecom identifiers in India.
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