The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has begun blocking WhatsApp accounts linked to inactive or cancelled mobile SIM cards to prevent potential misuse, fraud and illegal activities. According to the PTA, WhatsApp accounts registered on inactive SIMs could be exploited for fraud or other unlawful purposes, prompting the authority to act against them.
A PTA spokesperson has advised users to check the status of their mobile SIM cards and update their WhatsApp numbers if they have switched to a new mobile number. The authority has urged users to ensure that their WhatsApp accounts are linked only to mobile numbers currently in their use to reduce the risk of unauthorised access and potential misuse.
PTA has urged WhatsApp users to update their account registration if their previously linked SIM cards have been deactivated, cancelled or are no longer in use. The authority warned that inactive mobile numbers could pose security risks, as telecom operators may eventually reassign them to new subscribers. If a WhatsApp account remains linked to a reassigned number, the original owner could lose control of the account, potentially exposing it to unauthorised access or misuse.
The PTA has advised users to check the status of their mobile SIM cards and ensure their WhatsApp accounts are registered with numbers they currently use and control. Users who have changed their mobile numbers have also been encouraged to use WhatsApp’s number-change feature to transfer their account registration to their current number. This will help them maintain control of their accounts and minimise the risk of unauthorised access and fraudulent activity.
