BIF Raises Concerns Over Government's SIM-Binding Directions for Messaging Apps Implementation

The Broadband India Forum (BIF) has raised significant concerns regarding a government directive that mandates continuous SIM card activity for messaging apps. BIF has urged the government to delay implementation and engage in stakeholder consultations. The directive, intended to curb cyber-fraud from abroad, raises jurisdictional and consumer impact issues, extending beyond the Telecom Act's mandate.

BIF represents major tech firms like Meta and Google. It is at odds with the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), which supports the directive for enhancing national security. COAI has pledged telecom operators' commitment to implementing the directive smoothly.

Concerns Over SIM-Binding Directive

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) issued directions on 28 November 2025, requiring app-based communication services to remain linked to a user's SIM card. This includes periodic six-hour logouts for web/desktop versions. BIF expressed disappointment over the lack of public consultation or user-impact assessment before issuing such impactful directions.

BIF President TV Ramachandran stated, "BIF stands ready to work constructively with the government to strengthen India's telecom cybersecurity architecture." He emphasised that measures of this magnitude should have legislative backing and respect jurisdictional boundaries to minimise disruption for users and businesses.

Impact on Users and Services

The directive requires apps like WhatsApp and Telegram to be continuously linked to users' SIM cards. This makes accessing these apps without an active SIM impossible. BIF's concerns from public consultations on the Draft Telecom Cyber Security Amendments have materialised, particularly regarding the misuse of Telecommunication Identifier User Entity (TIUE) categories.

BIF highlighted that ordinary users could face inconvenience due to SIM-binding and forced logout requirements. Travellers, NRIs using Wi-Fi abroad, professionals needing uninterrupted access, and elderly users may be disproportionately affected. The selective applicability of these directions could lead to regulatory arbitrage.

Technical Feasibility and Market Impact

The effectiveness of SIM-binding measures in addressing cyber-fraud is questionable. Dominant fraud vectors like Indian SIM procurement through mule networks are marginally impacted by such conditions. BIF noted technical feasibility concerns due to OS-level restrictions, dual-SIM complexities, and architectural redesigns required by TIUEs.

BIF argued that focusing narrowly on SIM-binding diverts attention from more impactful measures like strong SIM-KYC enforcement. The forum contended that unequal treatment of similar services could lead to market distortions and migration of bad actors to platforms not subject to these obligations.

The forum concluded that the current form of SIM-binding directions imposes service disruption with limited benefit against sophisticated fraud networks. It urged DoT to pause implementation timelines, engage stakeholders, form a technical working group, and adopt a risk-based framework consistent with constitutional standards.

With inputs from PTI