MediaNama is pleased to announce the speakers for our upcoming virtual discussion, “Impact of SIM Binding on Social Media”, scheduled for December 12, 2025.
The discussion will examine the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) directive requiring continuous SIM-to-device binding for messaging platforms. The mandate has significant implications for multi device access, WhatsApp Web, automation workflows, enterprise communication, and continuity for NRIs and travellers. It also raises questions around feasibility, privacy, compliance, and whether messaging platforms are being moved toward telecom style regulation.
Event Details
Date: Friday, December 12, 2025
Time: 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM
Format: Virtual (Zoom)
Register to attend the discussion here.
Panel 1: Technical Alternatives to SIM Binding
This panel will explore whether SIM binding is technically workable at scale and whether alternative approaches to identity and fraud prevention are possible.
Speakers:
- Anand Venkatanarayanan, Co-Founder, Deepstrat
- Parag Kar, former Vice President (VP) at Qualcomm for Government Affairs (India and South Asia)
- Rohini Lakshane, Technologist and Researcher
- Venkata Satish Gutulla, Cyber Security Consultant, Allied Boston Consultants Pvt. Ltd.
Panel 2: Implications for Users and Businesses
This panel will focus on operational impact, user experience, compliance complexity, and policy direction.
Speakers:
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- Nikhil Narendran, Partner, TMT Practice, Trilegal
- Uthara Ganesh, Head of Public Policy at Snap (India and South Asia)
- Prasanth Sugathan, Legal Director, SFLC.in
What are we discussing?
SIM binding has the potential to alter how messaging systems function in India. While the directive aims to curb fraud using smuggled SIMs, India’s dominant fraud patterns rely on phishing, spoofing, SIM swaps, VoIP impersonation, and malware. These do not depend on remote logins or multi device access.
The discussion will examine:
- Technical feasibility of enforcing persistent SIM presence
- Impact on multi device workflows, accessibility, and enterprise tools
- Privacy and data handling implications
- Regulatory scope and compliance expectations
- Viable alternatives that strengthen fraud prevention without eroding usability
Remember that this is a curated event that requires you to sign up, so don’t forget to apply to attend. Also, please note that:
- Application does not guarantee attendance. In case you fit our mandate for the intended audience, we will send you a confirmation before December 12.
- Your contact information will never be shared with anyone outside of MediaNama.
Note: This discussion is being organised with support from Meta and Snap. Our community partner for this event is the Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF), SFLC.in and the Centre for Internet and Society.
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