WhatsApp Web to log Indian users out every 6 hours after new govt rules
The Indian government has introduced a new set of rules aimed at combating rising digital fraud in the country. As part of these rules, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has mandated SIM binding for Over-The-Top (OTT) messaging platforms, including WhatsApp. This move is expected to have a significant impact on the way Indian users access these platforms, particularly on the web.
According to the government directive, WhatsApp and other messaging platforms will be required to log out users every six hours. This means that users will no longer be able to access these platforms uninterrupted, and will instead be required to re-authenticate their accounts every six hours. This change is expected to come into effect soon, with the government giving OTT messaging platforms 90 days to ensure compliance with the new rules.
The move is aimed at preventing digital fraud, which has been on the rise in India in recent years. The government believes that by mandating SIM binding, it can reduce the incidence of fraud and make it easier to track down perpetrators. SIM binding involves linking a user’s phone number to their SIM card, making it more difficult for fraudsters to use fake or stolen phone numbers to commit crimes.
The impact of this move on Indian users is likely to be significant. Many users rely on WhatsApp and other messaging platforms for both personal and professional communication, and being logged out every six hours could be inconvenient. However, the government believes that the benefits of the new rules outweigh the drawbacks, and that the move is necessary to combat the growing problem of digital fraud.
It’s worth noting that the new rules apply only to the web versions of these platforms, and not to the mobile apps. This means that users who access WhatsApp and other messaging platforms on their mobile devices will not be affected by the new rules. However, users who rely on the web versions of these platforms, such as those who use them on their computers or laptops, will be required to log in again every six hours.
The government’s move has been welcomed by many experts, who believe that it is a necessary step to combat digital fraud. However, others have expressed concerns about the impact on users, and the potential for the new rules to be used to monitor or control online activity.
In terms of the technical implementation of the new rules, it’s likely that WhatsApp and other messaging platforms will be required to use a combination of cookies and other tracking technologies to monitor user activity and log them out after six hours. This could involve storing user data on servers, and using algorithms to track user activity and detect when a user has been inactive for six hours.
The move is also likely to have significant implications for the way that OTT messaging platforms operate in India. Many of these platforms have built their businesses on the back of offering free or low-cost services to users, and the new rules could require them to invest significant resources in implementing the new rules. This could lead to increased costs for users, or changes to the way that these platforms operate.
In conclusion, the Indian government’s move to mandate SIM binding for OTT messaging platforms is a significant one, and is likely to have a major impact on the way that users access these platforms. While the move is aimed at combating digital fraud, it’s likely to be inconvenient for many users, particularly those who rely on the web versions of these platforms. As the new rules come into effect, it will be interesting to see how WhatsApp and other messaging platforms respond, and how users adapt to the changes.
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