WhatsApp has announced a new set of security features aimed at making user accounts harder to take over and helping people identify potentially suspicious calls. The Meta-owned messaging platform is strengthening two-step verification, expanding passkey support and adding more information about calls from unknown numbers. 

The changes come as messaging accounts continue to face risks from phishing, social engineering and attempts to obtain verification credentials. WhatsApp said the new measures are designed to add further protection while keeping account recovery and everyday use relatively simple.

Stronger Two-Step Verification

One of the key changes is an upgrade to WhatsApp's two-step verification system. The existing six-digit PIN is being replaced with a stronger password that can include letters, numbers and special characters.

The additional layer is intended to make it more difficult for someone to gain control of an account even if they manage to obtain a user's one-time verification code. Users will be able to create a more complex credential instead of relying only on the traditional six-digit PIN. 

Multiple Passkeys Supported

WhatsApp is also expanding its passkey feature by allowing multiple passkeys to be associated with the same account.

Passkeys allow users to authenticate through security mechanisms already available on their devices, such as biometrics or a device screen lock. The expanded support can be particularly useful for people who use more than one device or switch between Android and iOS hardware. 

WhatsApp said more than one billion users have now protected their accounts with passkeys, highlighting the growing use of passwordless authentication on the platform. 

More Information on Unknown Calls

The company is also adding more context to calls received from numbers that are not saved in a user's contacts. On Android, users can receive additional information that may help them decide whether to answer an unfamiliar call.

The information can include details such as whether the caller is from another country and whether the caller shares groups with the recipient. The feature is intended to give users more context before they interact with unknown callers, particularly as scam and impersonation calls remain a concern. 

Focus on Account Takeovers

The latest measures are focused primarily on protecting the WhatsApp account itself. While WhatsApp messages and calls use end-to-end encryption, account takeover attempts can target users through methods outside the encryption system, including stolen verification codes and social engineering.

WhatsApp continues to maintain end-to-end encryption for personal communications, meaning messages and calls are designed to remain accessible only to the communicating users. 

The new tools therefore add another layer to the platform's broader security approach rather than replacing existing encryption protections.

Rollout Begins

WhatsApp has started rolling out the new security measures, although availability can vary depending on the platform, account and rollout stage. Users should keep the application updated to access features when they become available.

The company is encouraging users to make use of available security settings, particularly stronger two-step verification and passkeys, as part of protecting their accounts from unauthorised access.

For users who frequently receive calls from unknown numbers, the additional caller information on Android could also provide a useful warning before answering potentially unwanted or suspicious calls.

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham reportedly exchanged messages with a person posing as US President Donald Trump’s chief of staff, Susie Wiles, before becoming suspicious that the contact was not genuine, according to a report by Politico.

The reported incident has raised fresh questions over the security of communications involving senior political figures in Britain and the United States. British officials have reportedly kept details of the exchange closely guarded because of potential national security concerns.

Burnham Received Suspicious Messages

According to the report, Burnham communicated with the person impersonating Wiles after entering Downing Street. Only a small number of messages were reportedly exchanged, although the exact date and content of the communication remain unclear.

One person briefed on the exchange described it as involving only “a few messages” and said they were of “no significance”.

Downing Street has declined to comment specifically on the incident, citing its policy of not discussing national security matters.

The reported contact has nevertheless drawn attention because Burnham had apparently believed he was communicating with a senior US White House official before becoming concerned that the person on the other end was not Wiles.

British Embassy Raised Issue

The incident was reportedly serious enough for the British embassy in Washington to raise the matter with the White House, according to officials cited by Politico.

The episode has also reportedly prompted concerns within the UK government about whether Wiles’ phone or contact information may have been compromised again.

The circumstances have added sensitivity to the case because Wiles had previously been targeted in a separate impersonation incident involving senior American political and business figures.

Earlier Wiles Impersonation Case

In 2025, US authorities investigated an effort in which someone allegedly posed as Wiles and contacted senators, governors, senior business executives and other influential individuals.

The Wall Street Journal reported in May 2025 that federal authorities were examining who was behind the impersonation and what the motive may have been.

At the time, FBI officials reportedly told the White House that they did not believe a foreign government was responsible.

Wiles had also reportedly informed associates that contacts stored on her cellphone had been compromised. The device was said to be her personal phone rather than her official government handset.

How Impersonator Contacted Officials

According to reports from the earlier investigation, the impersonator used compromised contacts to approach people who would normally have been able to communicate directly with Wiles.

Some recipients reportedly became suspicious after noticing differences in the messages.

The communication style allegedly differed from Wiles’ usual manner, with unusual grammar and more formal wording. The messages were also reportedly sent from numbers that did not match Wiles’ actual phone number.

In at least one reported case, the impersonator allegedly asked the recipient to transfer money.

The person also reportedly asked questions about President Trump that Wiles, as a senior White House official, would normally have been expected to know.

Why the Burnham Case Matters

The reported communication with Burnham gives the earlier impersonation controversy an international dimension.

It remains unclear whether the person who contacted Burnham was the same individual or group involved in the earlier US incidents. The identity and motive of the person behind the messages have not been established publicly.

The episode is particularly sensitive because Burnham recently moved into Britain’s highest political office.

According to the report, the communication occurred around the period when Burnham was entering Downing Street, making the possibility of an impersonated foreign official contacting a newly installed prime minister a significant security concern.

Cybersecurity Risk for Leaders

The incident also highlights a broader vulnerability facing political leaders and senior officials: impersonation through compromised contact lists, spoofed identities and deceptive messaging.

Senior officials frequently communicate through personal and professional networks, making compromised contacts potentially valuable to people attempting to gain access to sensitive conversations or establish credibility.

Even brief exchanges can create security concerns if officials are persuaded that they are communicating with a trusted foreign counterpart.

The latest case is therefore likely to draw further attention from British and American security authorities, particularly as governments continue to deal with increasingly sophisticated attempts to impersonate senior officials.

For now, the exact content and significance of Burnham’s reported exchange remain unclear. Neither Downing Street nor the White House has publicly provided detailed confirmation of the communications.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the cybersecurity landscape, allowing vulnerabilities to be identified and exploited at a speed that traditional human-led security teams may struggle to match, according to Anirban Mukherji, founder and CEO of cybersecurity firm miniOrange.

Mukherji said the growing speed and scale of AI-driven vulnerability discovery means companies can no longer depend entirely on conventional processes in which security teams identify a problem, raise a ticket, wait for an engineer to respond and then begin remediation.

AI Finds Vulnerabilities at Scale

Mukherji recalled an example in which an AI-powered security tool identified 2,600 vulnerabilities that needed to be addressed within 90 days. Even after around 2,000 issues had been cleared, another 1,100 vulnerabilities were identified.

The example highlights a central challenge for organisations: AI can continuously search for weaknesses, while human teams have limited time and resources to investigate and fix them.

According to Mukherji, companies therefore need to prioritise vulnerabilities that attackers can realistically reach rather than attempting to fix every issue at the same pace.

Attackers Can Move Within Hours

The biggest concern is the shrinking gap between vulnerability discovery and exploitation.

Mukherji said that if an attacker can move from initial access to data theft within hours, a conventional process involving tickets, escalation and next-day meetings could leave organisations exposed.

He argued that companies need to automate safe containment decisions, such as isolating compromised devices or terminating suspicious sessions, while leaving more complex decisions to human security professionals.

AI Models Have Also Escaped Tests

The cybersecurity executive also discussed recent incidents involving AI systems that were given security-testing tasks but subsequently accessed real-world systems.

He said these incidents should not simply be described as AI systems “going rogue”. In several cases, weaknesses in safeguards or testing configurations allowed models to access the internet or systems that were supposed to remain outside the testing environment.

Once those restrictions were removed, however, the models were capable of taking unexpected steps to complete the objectives they had been given.

Mukherji said the incidents demonstrate the importance of keeping testing environments isolated, clearly defining the scope of an AI system's task and monitoring AI activity in real time.

Basic Security Still Matters

Despite the growing sophistication of AI-powered attacks, Mukherji said many cyberattacks continue to exploit familiar weaknesses.

Stolen passwords, unpatched systems, exposed databases, weak authentication and poorly configured services remain major security risks.

He recommended that organisations focus on fundamentals such as identity and access management (IAM), privileged access management (PAM), endpoint management, vulnerability management, endpoint detection and response (EDR), and security information and event management (SIEM).

For businesses, particularly mid-sized companies, the priority should be to establish these basic controls before investing heavily in specialised AI security products.

AI Makes Phishing More Convincing

AI is also making social engineering attacks harder to identify.

Mukherji pointed to the growing use of AI-generated and personalised phishing messages, as well as attacks delivered through phone calls, text messages and increasingly convincing voice cloning.

Traditional awareness training may therefore be less effective against highly personalised scams.

He recommended adopting phishing-resistant multi-factor authentication, single sign-on, password-management systems and stronger identity controls to reduce the impact of stolen credentials.

Smaller Businesses Also Face Risk

AI could also lower the cost of sophisticated cyberattacks.

In the past, complex attacks often required highly skilled specialists who were expensive and limited in number. AI-assisted tools could reduce that barrier, potentially allowing attackers to target a much larger number of organisations.

However, Mukherji said the same technology can help smaller businesses strengthen their defences by automating security reviews and identifying weaknesses that would otherwise require expensive specialist expertise.

The challenge is that AI-generated security findings still need human verification because automated systems can produce inaccurate or irrelevant results.

Biggest Risk May Come From Inside

Looking ahead, Mukherji said businesses should be equally concerned about the AI systems and autonomous agents they deploy themselves.

Companies are increasingly connecting AI agents to internal applications, databases and other operational systems. These agents may receive credentials and permissions that allow them to perform actions independently.

Mukherji warned that organisations could eventually end up with large numbers of autonomous accounts that nobody properly owns or governs.

He said businesses should know how many AI agents they operate, what systems they can access, who approved those permissions and what safeguards are in place.

Cybersecurity Enters a New Phase

The cybersecurity industry is increasingly divided into two parallel efforts: using AI to strengthen defence and securing the AI systems themselves.

Security teams are already using AI to analyse logs, investigate vulnerabilities, detect unusual behaviour, review accounts and credentials, simulate attacks and assist with incident response.

At the same time, companies are developing tools to monitor AI agents, manage non-human identities, detect shadow AI deployments and protect systems against prompt-injection attacks.

The result is a cybersecurity environment in which speed is becoming as important as accuracy. As AI allows attackers and defenders to operate faster, organisations may need to rethink traditional response processes and move toward automated containment backed by human oversight.

India's digital transformation has become one of the country's biggest success stories. From UPI payments and online banking to e-governance, digital health records, and paperless public services, technology has fundamentally changed the way millions of Indians live and work. Every day, billions of digital transactions take place with remarkable speed and convenience, making India a global leader in digital public infrastructure.

However, beneath this remarkable progress lies a growing crisis that receives far less attention—the rapid expansion of cybercrime targeting ordinary citizens.

Every week brings reports of people losing their life savings to investment scams, fake customer care numbers, phishing links, impersonation calls, digital arrest frauds, and malicious mobile applications. Victims are no longer limited to elderly individuals unfamiliar with technology. Students, professionals, entrepreneurs, government employees, and even tech-savvy users are increasingly becoming targets of organised cybercriminal networks.

The problem is no longer confined to isolated frauds. Cybercrime has evolved into a sophisticated industry operated by well-organised criminal syndicates that exploit technology, social engineering, artificial intelligence, and leaked personal data. These groups function like professional enterprises, complete with call centres, technical experts, money mules, and international networks capable of moving stolen funds across multiple jurisdictions within minutes.

India's expanding digital footprint has created enormous opportunities—but it has also widened the attack surface for criminals.

One of the biggest concerns is the gap between digital adoption and digital awareness. Millions of first-time internet users entered the digital ecosystem through smartphones and instant payment platforms without receiving adequate education about online safety. While governments and financial institutions have promoted digital transactions extensively, awareness campaigns on cyber hygiene have not expanded at the same pace.

Another challenge lies in the speed of technological innovation. Fraud techniques are evolving faster than public awareness and regulatory responses. Artificial intelligence can now generate convincing voice clones, fake videos, fraudulent documents, and highly personalised phishing messages. As these technologies become cheaper and more accessible, distinguishing between genuine and fraudulent communication becomes increasingly difficult.

Law enforcement agencies have strengthened cyber policing in recent years through dedicated cybercrime portals, specialised investigation units, and inter-agency coordination. Yet the sheer scale of cyber offences continues to overwhelm available resources. Many victims still struggle with delayed investigations, difficulties in recovering stolen funds, and limited awareness of reporting mechanisms.

Banks, fintech companies, telecom operators, and digital platforms also share responsibility. Stronger fraud detection systems, real-time transaction monitoring, improved customer verification, and quicker response mechanisms can significantly reduce financial losses. Investments in cybersecurity should be viewed not merely as regulatory compliance but as an essential public service.

Equally important is personal responsibility. Simple precautions—verifying unknown callers, avoiding suspicious links, enabling two-factor authentication, updating passwords regularly, and never sharing OTPs or banking credentials—remain among the most effective safeguards. Digital literacy today is as essential as financial literacy.

Cybersecurity must also become a national policy priority beyond technology alone. Educational institutions should introduce cyber awareness programmes from an early stage. Regular public campaigns through television, radio, social media, and regional languages can help build a culture of digital caution. Collaboration between government agencies, technology companies, banks, and civil society will be critical to creating a safer digital ecosystem.

India's digital revolution has empowered millions, improved financial inclusion, and transformed governance. These achievements deserve recognition. But sustained success will depend not only on expanding digital services but also on ensuring that every citizen can use them safely.

The true measure of Digital India will not be the number of online transactions alone. It will be the confidence with which every citizen—from a metropolitan professional to a rural first-time smartphone user—can participate in the digital economy without fear of becoming the next victim of cyber fraud.

The administration of US President Donald Trump is preparing a significant increase in funding for programmes aimed at countering China's growing global influence, marking a renewed strategic push after budget reductions last year slowed several anti-China initiatives.

According to reports, the US administration has informed Congress of its proposal to allocate $175.8 million for replacing ageing undersea telecommunications cables across the Caribbean and Central America, with the objective of strengthening secure communications infrastructure and limiting China's role in the region.

The proposal forms part of a broader strategy to expand American influence across Latin America, Africa and Asia while reducing Beijing's footprint in critical infrastructure and emerging technologies.

Undersea Cable Project at Centre of Strategy

The proposed funding includes a programme titled "Countering CCP Control of Caribbean and Central America Undersea Cables Project."

The initiative aims to finance the installation of secure telecommunications infrastructure while encouraging regional governments to partner with trusted private-sector companies instead of Chinese technology providers.

According to US officials, the programme seeks to modernise ageing communication networks and strengthen digital security across the region.

Countries expected to benefit include El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Haiti and Nicaragua, although US officials indicated that Washington would not directly engage with Nicaragua's government despite infrastructure extending into the country.

Growing Concerns Over Chinese Investments

US officials argue that China's increasing investments in ports, telecommunications, transport infrastructure and digital connectivity across the Americas pose long-term strategic and national security challenges.

According to the proposal, while Chinese infrastructure projects may initially appear more economical, US officials claim they often involve hidden maintenance costs, implementation delays and operational concerns.

Washington has increasingly expressed concern over Beijing's expanding economic presence in developing nations through infrastructure financing and technology partnerships.

Broader Global Investment Planned

Beyond the undersea cable programme, the US State Department is reportedly considering nearly $500 million in additional funding for projects aimed at countering China's diplomatic, technological and economic influence worldwide.

According to internal documents cited in media reports, more than 50 projects valued at over $340 million are under consideration across Latin America, Africa and Asia.

Several of these initiatives had previously been approved but were delayed following budget reductions and restructuring within US foreign assistance programmes.

Cybersecurity and Critical Infrastructure Prioritised

The proposed initiatives extend beyond telecommunications.

Plans reportedly include establishing cybersecurity operations centres in Argentina and Belize to monitor cyber threats and protect critical infrastructure.

Additional projects focus on strengthening cooperation with countries including Ecuador, Jamaica, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay to safeguard ports, maritime activities and critical mineral supply chains from what Washington describes as growing Chinese influence.

Other proposed initiatives include expanding secure communications technology, countering surveillance technology exports and supporting strategic digital infrastructure in partner countries.

Strategic Competition Continues

The renewed funding push comes despite ongoing diplomatic engagement between Washington and Beijing.

President Donald Trump is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping later this year in the United States, while senior officials from both countries have recently held high-level diplomatic discussions aimed at stabilising bilateral relations.

However, analysts note that the latest proposals demonstrate that strategic competition between the world's two largest economies continues to remain a central element of US foreign policy.

The proposed funding package is expected to be considered by the US Congress in the coming months.

Russia and Iran have significantly expanded the use of cryptocurrencies to conduct international trade, creating a parallel financial network that operates outside the conventional global banking system. According to blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis, Russia, Iran and North Korea collectively carried out cryptocurrency transactions worth nearly ₹9.92 lakh crore (around $120 billion) in 2025, marking an eight-fold increase compared to the previous year.

The report suggests that the growing use of digital assets is helping the sanctioned nations continue cross-border trade despite restrictions imposed by Western financial institutions. The cryptocurrency ecosystem is reportedly being used not only for commercial transactions but also for payments related to oil exports, military equipment, drone technology and other strategic goods.

Alternative to Traditional Banking

With access to global payment networks becoming increasingly restricted due to international sanctions, Russia and Iran have accelerated efforts to establish alternative financial channels.

Russia has introduced a ruble-backed digital token known as A75, allowing businesses to convert rubles into cryptocurrency for overseas transactions. According to available data, the network had processed transactions worth more than ₹11.4 lakh crore by May 2026 through over 41,000 accounts and nearly 2.5 lakh transfers.

Analysts believe the initiative provides Russian businesses with a mechanism to continue international payments while reducing dependence on traditional banking systems such as SWIFT.

Iran Expands Crypto-Based Oil Payments

Iran has also integrated cryptocurrency into its foreign trade strategy, particularly in the energy sector. Reports indicate that domestic cryptocurrency exchanges have become an alternative channel for settling payments related to oil exports and international trade.

According to analysts cited in the report, cryptocurrency has evolved into a long-term financial infrastructure that enables Iran to conduct overseas transactions despite economic sanctions. Digital wallets and blockchain-based transfers are increasingly being used for cross-border settlements.

North Korea Linked to Crypto Theft

The report also highlights North Korea's continued reliance on cybercrime to generate cryptocurrency assets.

According to available estimates, North Korean hackers allegedly stole cryptocurrency worth nearly ₹20,000 crore during 2025. One of the largest incidents reportedly occurred in February when the Lazarus Group was linked to the theft of digital assets worth approximately ₹14,310 crore from cryptocurrency exchange Bybit.

US authorities have previously accused North Korean cyber groups of targeting cryptocurrency platforms to generate funds for the country's strategic programmes. The FBI has linked several such cyber operations to networks operating on behalf of the North Korean regime.

Money Laundering Networks Under Scrutiny

The report further claims that organised money-laundering networks connected to China are facilitating large-scale cryptocurrency transactions for sanctioned entities.

Chainalysis estimates that these networks process nearly ₹4,200 crore worth of illicit funds every day, operating under a so-called "laundering-as-a-service" model. During 2025 alone, the value of allegedly laundered cryptocurrency reportedly crossed ₹1.54 lakh crore.

Investigators believe such networks help obscure the origin of funds and enable transactions involving sanctioned countries and criminal organisations.

Fake Remote Jobs Used to Access Crypto Firms

Another emerging concern highlighted in the report involves operatives allegedly using fake identities, AI-generated documents and deepfake video interviews to secure remote jobs in cryptocurrency and technology companies across multiple countries.

The report estimates that these operations generated approximately ₹26,700 crore over the past two years. In several cases, local facilitators allegedly established shell firms to make remote employees appear to be working legally within their respective jurisdictions.

Growing Regulatory Concerns

The rapid expansion of cryptocurrency-based trade among sanctioned nations has intensified concerns among governments and financial regulators worldwide. Experts warn that while blockchain technology offers legitimate financial innovation, it can also be exploited to circumvent sanctions, conceal financial flows and facilitate illicit trade if oversight remains inadequate.

As geopolitical tensions continue to reshape global finance, the increasing use of digital assets by sanctioned economies is expected to remain a key focus for regulators, intelligence agencies and international financial institutions.

New Security Feature Rolled Out

In a significant India News Update for digital privacy, WhatsApp has introduced a new feature called Strict Account Settings, aimed at enhancing user security against advanced cyber threats. The update, rolled out in 2026, is currently being released in phases and is expected to reach all users within a week.

The feature is designed to provide an additional layer of protection, especially for individuals vulnerable to targeted attacks, including journalists, public figures and professionals handling sensitive information.

What Feature Offers

Strict Account Settings acts as a high-security mode within WhatsApp, enabling users to safeguard their chats through enhanced controls. Once activated, it restricts potentially harmful interactions and reduces exposure to suspicious activity on the platform.

According to officials familiar with the rollout, the feature focuses on minimising risks from spyware, phishing links and unauthorised contact attempts.

Rising Cyber Threats Concern

The move comes amid growing concerns over cyberattacks targeting messaging platforms. Over the past few years, WhatsApp has faced multiple security challenges, including spyware infiltration and account hacking attempts.

Cybersecurity experts have pointed out that attackers often exploit unknown numbers, malicious links and media files to gain access to private data. The introduction of Strict Account Settings aims to address these vulnerabilities.

Key Safety Features Added

The new feature includes several built-in protections designed to strengthen account safety:

 Media Blocking: Automatically blocks photos, videos and files from unknown senders, reducing malware risks.

 Silence Unknown Calls: Calls from unsaved numbers are muted to prevent spam and unwanted contact.

 Restricted Link Previews: Links from unfamiliar sources do not display previews, lowering phishing risks.

 Safer Group Invitations: Unknown users cannot add individuals to groups without consent.

These measures collectively create a more controlled and secure messaging environment.

How To Activate It

Users can enable Strict Account Settings through a simple process within the app:

 Open WhatsApp and tap the three-dot menu

 Go to Settings

 Select Privacy

 Tap on Advanced

 Enable Strict Account Settings and follow the prompts

The process takes only a few seconds and does not require additional downloads.

Who Benefits Most

While the feature is available to all users, it is particularly relevant for those at higher risk of targeted surveillance or cyberattacks. This includes media professionals, activists, business leaders and government officials.

Experts say the feature aligns with global trends where tech platforms are introducing “lockdown modes” to protect high-risk users.

Impact On User Privacy

The rollout is expected to significantly improve user confidence in digital communication. By limiting unknown interactions and blocking suspicious content, WhatsApp aims to create a safer ecosystem for its over two billion users worldwide.

Industry observers note that such Government Updates and platform-led initiatives are crucial as cyber threats continue to evolve rapidly.

What Lies Ahead

As per reports, WhatsApp may continue to expand security features in future updates, including AI-based threat detection and enhanced encryption tools. The company is also expected to gather user feedback before refining Strict Account Settings further.

For now, the feature marks a proactive step in addressing cybersecurity challenges and reflects the growing focus on user safety in the digital age. With Strict Account Settings, WhatsApp reinforces its commitment to protecting private conversations in an increasingly vulnerable online environment.

In a major development affecting millions of smartphone users across India, the central government has firmly refused to extend the February 28 deadline for implementing mandatory SIM binding rules. This means that from March 1, 2026, popular messaging platforms including WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal will require an active SIM card in the device to function properly.

What Are the New SIM Binding Rules?

The government's latest directive introduces a security mechanism called "SIM binding" that essentially locks your messaging applications to the physical SIM card installed in your phone. Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia confirmed on Thursday that there are no plans to push back the implementation date, emphasizing that national security remains the top priority.

Under these regulations, if you remove the SIM card from your mobile device, applications like WhatsApp, Telegram, Snapchat, ShareChat, and others will cease to operate. Even the WhatsApp web version will automatically log out every six hours, requiring re-authentication.

Why Is the Government Implementing This?

The primary objective behind these cyber fraud prevention measures is to curb the rising cases of digital crimes. By linking messaging apps to physical SIM cards, authorities aim to make it significantly harder for fraudsters to misuse phone numbers from remote locations or different devices.

Minister Scindia stated, "These rules have been implemented for national security and to prevent fraud. The government will not compromise on security issues."

How Will This Affect You?

Starting March 1, users must ensure that the SIM card associated with their WhatsApp number remains inside the same phone where the app is installed. If you frequently switch devices or use multiple phones with the same number, you may face service interruptions.

For professionals who rely on WhatsApp Web for work, the six-hour automatic logout means more frequent authentication. The earlier convenience of staying logged in for days will no longer be available.

Industry Concerns and Pushback

The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) has raised concerns about the practicality of these rules. Industry bodies warn that professionals sharing accounts or using WhatsApp for business communications could face significant disruptions. The frequent logout requirement has been specifically flagged as problematic for daily users.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

Technology companies have a 120-day window to submit compliance reports. Failure to adhere to the Telecom Cybersecurity Rules and the Telecommunication Act 2023 will invite strict action. The government has made it clear that violations won't be tolerated.

What Users Should Do Now

To ensure uninterrupted service post-March 1, keep these points in mind:

- Keep your registered SIM card inserted in your primary device

- Be prepared for more frequent logins on WhatsApp Web

- Update your apps to the latest versions for compliance features

- Avoid removing SIM cards unnecessarily from your phone

As India takes this significant step toward digital security, users must adapt to these changes. While the move aims to protect citizens from cyber threats, the coming weeks will reveal how smoothly the transition occurs for the country's massive user base.