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A new feature will soon be available on WhatsApp to enforce SIM binding requirements. It will regularly verify whether the account is linked to an active SIM.

To enforce SIM binding requirements, WhatsApp is soon rolling out a major change for Indian users. The company is rolling out a new feature that will regularly check whether a WhatsApp account is linked to an active mobile number. If this feature detects that the account isn't linked to an active SIM, the account may be restricted. It's worth noting that SIM binding was made mandatory by the government a few months ago.

How will the new feature work?

According to reports, this feature is currently in beta testing. Once rolled out, it will monitor SIM validation and session renewal in the background. Currently, WhatsApp only verifies phone numbers through a code at login, but this feature will now check SIM activation at regular intervals. This requires entering a six-digit code every time a user session is renewed. If an account fails to validate the SIM, it will be restricted. However, it is believed that this will not affect chat history or pending messages.

This change will only be for Indian users

WhatsApp is rolling out this feature only to Indian users. It will only affect numbers starting with +91. Late last year, the government asked all messaging apps, including WhatsApp, Telegram, and Snapchat, to implement SIM binding, giving them 90 days to do so.

What is SIM binding?

SIM binding means that messaging apps can only be accessed on devices with the same SIM used to register on the platform. If the SIM is removed from the device, becomes inactive, or is replaced with another SIM, the app will automatically log the user out. The government hopes this will help prevent fraud.