The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has warned that WhatsApp accounts linked to inactive, cancelled, or no-longer-in-use SIM cards may face blockage at any time.
The development follows the authority’s decision to take action against WhatsApp accounts associated with inactive mobile numbers that are being misused for fraudulent and other unlawful activities.
The PTA has issued another notice to users, advising them to ensure that their WhatsApp accounts remain linked to active SIM cards that are currently in their possession and apply. As the authority has continued issuing advisories and taking steps concerning accounts linked to inactive SIMs, however, the latest notice should not be described as a “final notice”.
According to the PTA, WhatsApp accounts registered on inactive SIMs can create security concerns as the associated mobile numbers may no longer remain under the control of their original users. Such numbers can later be reissued to other subscribers, creating the possibility of misuse of WhatsApp accounts and their associated data.
The authority has advised users whose mobile numbers have become inactive or cancelled to update their WhatsApp accounts with their current active numbers.
What happened
Users who change their mobile numbers have also been advised to promptly apply WhatsApp’s number-change option to ensure continued control of their accounts.
The PTA said the measure is aimed at addressing fraudulent and other activities being carried out through WhatsApp accounts linked to inactive SIMs and improving digital security.
As WhatsApp accounts associated with inactive numbers may commence facing blockage without further delay, users have been urged to verify the status of their SIMs and take timely action.
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