A big step has been taken by the government to stop cyber frauds, due to this no one will be able to cheat with fake foreign numbers. The Central Government has issued a strict order saying that now all messaging apps like Whatsapp, Signal, Telegram will always be linked to the active Indian SIM card installed in your phone. This means that these apps will not run only on Wi-Fi, it is necessary to have an active SIM in the phone, otherwise the app will not open.
The government has clearly said that all the operators of messaging apps running in India like Whatsapp, Telegram, Signal will now have to submit their compliance report to the Department of Telecommunications i.e. DoT within 120 days. Meaning, these companies will write down whether they have fully implemented the new rule regarding active SIM cards or not. If the report is not given within 120 days, then strict action will be taken, because the government now does not want to take any risk on cyber fraud.
Apps will run if there is a SIM card in the phone
The Department of Telecommunications has clearly warned that if apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, Snapchat, ShareChat, JioChat, Josh do not follow these new rules, then strict action will be taken under the Telecommunication Act 2023, Cyber Security Rules and other laws. These rules will be applicable across India and the way users use these apps will change. Now all these messaging services will work only when the SIM card is installed in your phone and it is also active.
In the order issued by the government, it has been said that some apps identify the user by mobile number, but do not require the SIM to be in the phone. Users can run the app even without SIM. Foreign fraudsters are taking advantage of this facility and committing cyber fraud. Therefore now this gap is being closed.
The government took this decision
DoT said that it has become very important to prevent misuse of telecom numbers and keep the entire telecom system secure. Therefore, now a clear order has been given that any app which identifies the user by mobile number or provides service, will run only when an active SIM of the same number is installed in the phone. Without that particular active SIM it will be impossible to use the app. These rules are applicable to all app companies.
The government has decided to make two major changes in the new rules within 90 days. First – Every app like Whatsapp, Telegram will be continuously linked to the active SIM of the same number in the phone. If that particular SIM is not installed in the phone or is switched off then the app will not run at all, messages will not be able to be sent or received.
Second is that if you use WhatsApp Web, Telegram Web on computer or laptop, now you will be automatically logged out every 6 hours. Then you will have to login again by scanning the QR code. With this, even if a thug steals your web session, he will not be able to do any harm for long. All these rules have started and will continue until the Telecom Department itself changes.
