You may soon need to re-login to WhatsApp Web every 6 hours under new govt order

The Indian government's Department of Telecommunications has announced new regulations requiring messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Signal to enforce mandatory SIM binding. This means that users will need an active SIM card in their devices for these applications to function. The official notification highlights a significant concern: some communication apps have allowed users to access services without the presence of a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) in their devices. This loophole has been deemed a risk to cybersecurity, particularly with cases of cyber fraud originating from outside the country. To address these issues, the government has stipulated that apps must continuously verify the presence of the registered SIM card. If the required SIM is not detected, the applications will cease to operate. Additionally, users of web-based versions of these apps, including WhatsApp Web, will be required to log in again every six hours, as the services will automatically log them out after this period. The Department of Telecommunications emphasizes that these measures are crucial for safeguarding users against cyber fraud and the misuse of telecommunications identifiers. They have been in discussions with major service providers for several months regarding this serious issue. The new regulations are now in effect, and failure to comply could result in actions under the Telecommunications Act of 2023 and other relevant laws. With the implementation of these rules, users can expect a significant change in how they access and use messaging services, aiming to enhance the security of the telecom ecosystem in India.