WhatsApp Web Shocking Update! अब हर 6 घंटे में होगा Auto Logout — DoT का नया सख्त नियम!
If you use WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal or any other popular messaging app — whether on mobile or laptop — a major regulatory change from India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) now affects you. In short: apps must remain linked to the active SIM used at registration, and associated web sessions (e.g., WhatsApp Web) will be logged out periodically — not later than every 6 hours. Read on for exact details, practical tips, FAQs and a quick publishing checklist.
What’s New? — The Rule Explained
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has issued a directive asking messaging platforms to ensure that user accounts remain continuously linked to the same SIM card and number used at registration. Platforms have been given a timeline to implement these checks and apply periodic logout for web sessions (six-hour limit stated by the order).
In practical terms, this means:
- The messaging app will check for the presence of the registered SIM on the device. अगर वही SIM नहीं है तो app access बंद हो सकता है.
- Web sessions like WhatsApp Web or Telegram Web must be logged out periodically and re-authenticated — generally required at least once every 6 hours.
- Apps have a compliance window (reported as 90 days) to implement continuous SIM-binding mechanisms and periodic logout.
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| WhatsApp Web Shocking Update |
Why Did Government Do This? — Rationale
The stated purpose is to improve traceability, limit anonymous misuse and reduce fraud carried out via messaging apps. Previously, once a number was verified via OTP, many apps continued to run even if the SIM was removed or switched — creating opportunities for misuse. DoT’s move is to force continuous device-SIM linkage, making it significantly harder for bad actors to operate anonymously.
Which Apps & Who’s Affected?
Major messaging platforms reported in the directive include WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, Snapchat, ShareChat and multiple Indian OTT messaging players. If an app uses mobile number as the primary identity layer, it is likely covered.
User Impact — Pros & Cons
Pros (Security & Traceability)
- Better traceability between number and device — can curb scams & spam.
- Harder for anonymous cross-border misuse via Web sessions.
Cons (Convenience & Multi-Device Use)
- Users who rely on SIM-less devices (tablets, secondary phones) may lose access.
- Web-heavy workflows will face repeated re-auth every 6 hours — disruptive for long work sessions.
- Travellers or people who frequently swap SIMs will need to re-authenticate often.
How to Prepare — Practical Tips for Users
- Keep your registered SIM active in your primary device. Agar aap uninterrupted service chahte ho toh registered number ka SIM primary phone mein rakho.
- Use phone app where possible. Web sessions will auto-logout; phone app is least likely to require re-auth as long as SIM is present.
- Backup chats & media regularly. Frequent logouts can interrupt transfers or long uploads—keep backups before big sessions.
- For web workers: Keep your phone nearby to quickly scan QR and re-authenticate when the web session ends.
- If you travel abroad: Consider dual-SIM or keep the registered SIM in a local device so authentication remains possible.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q1: Will my WhatsApp/Telegram account stop immediately if I remove the SIM?
The directive requires continuous binding; apps are expected to check for SIM presence. If you remove or deactivate the registered SIM, the app may restrict access on that device unless the platform offers a specific exemption pathway. Real-world enforcement and exact behavior depend on each app’s technical implementation.
Q2: If I use WhatsApp Web, will I definitely be logged out every 6 hours even if I am active?
Yes — the rule mandates periodic logout of web sessions not later than six hours. That means even an active browser session must re-authenticate through the phone (QR-scan + SIM verification) at the specified interval.
Q3: What is the 90-day timeline about?
Reports indicate the DoT provided a 90-day compliance window for platforms to implement continuous SIM-to-device binding and periodic logout mechanisms. After the compliance deadline, platforms operating without the required checks risk enforcement actions.
Q4: Will this break multi-device features like WhatsApp's multi-device without phone?
It depends on the app’s implementation. The aim is to keep accountability and traceability — so multi-device support may be preserved but with extra checks (for example, the primary phone must still have the registered SIM present at intervals). Exact behavior will vary across platforms.
Q5: Can fraudsters still bypass this using fake or cloned SIMs?
No rule is fully foolproof. Cloned or fraudulently obtained SIMs can still be abused. But continuous binding raises the barrier and helps enforcement agencies trace misuse to a physical SIM and mobile provider—reducing anonymity and deterring mass misuse.
Conclusion
DoT’s SIM-binding and periodic logout rules are a major step to tighten security and traceability for messaging platforms in India. While they strengthen measures against scams and anonymous misuse, they also introduce friction for multi-device users and web-heavy workflows. Bottom line: if you want uninterrupted access, keep your registered SIM active in your primary device, and be ready to re-authenticate web sessions regularly.
| Feature | What Changes |
|---|---|
| SIM-Binding | Apps must be continuously linked to the SIM used at registration; access may be blocked if SIM absent. |
| Web Logout | Web sessions (e.g., WhatsApp Web) must be logged out periodically — at most every 6 hours — and re-authenticated. |
| Compliance Deadline | Platforms reportedly have 90 days to implement the controls. |
| Primary Impact | Multi-device users, travellers, and SIM-less device users may face inconvenience. |