Mint Explainer: How WhatsApp Usernames Could Affect India’s SIM-Tethering Plan | Today’s news

In November 2025, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) directed messaging platforms including WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, Arattai, Snapchat, Sharechat, Jiochat and Josh to ensure that their services remain linked to users’ SIM cards and phone numbers. The original February deadline was pushed to late December after operating system providers such as Apple Inc. and Google Llc, and submitted technical issues to the companies.