Zoho’s homegrown messaging platform, Arattai, is preparing for a significant privacy enhancement that could position it as a strong competitor to WhatsApp. Founder and CEO Sridhar Vembu has confirmed that the eagerly awaited end-to-end encryption (E2EE) feature is currently undergoing final testing. In response to a user inquiry on X (formerly Twitter) about the encryption timeline, Vembu stated, “Yes going through testing right now. We are doing multiple rounds of QA to be sure.” This announcement has generated excitement among Arattai’s expanding user base, many of whom have been advocating for this feature to align the platform with international privacy norms. Vembu noted the challenges faced by critical infrastructure like WhatsApp, highlighting the financial burden on businesses.
He mentioned, “Testing going on for the big e-e-expected feature. It has come out very well. As I say repeatedly, we are in this for the long haul. We won’t give…” For several months, Arattai has been promoted as India’s alternative to WhatsApp, a secure, homegrown communication app developed by Chennai-based Zoho Corporation. Despite its user-friendly interface and efficient performance, the lack of comprehensive end-to-end encryption for text messages had deterred many privacy-conscious individuals. Currently, all voice and video calls on Arattai are already end-to-end encrypted, ensuring that no third party, including Zoho, can intercept those conversations.
The forthcoming feature will extend the same protection to text messages, guaranteeing that only the sender and recipient can view the content of their chats. End-to-end encryption has become a benchmark for secure messaging, popularized by platforms like WhatsApp and Signal, as it prevents service providers from accessing message content, thus enhancing safety against surveillance or data breaches. In addition to privacy, Zoho seems dedicated to enhancing Arattai’s functionalities to transform it into more than just a messaging application. Reports indicate that the company intends to integrate Zoho Pay, enabling users to manage UPI-based payments within the app. This development would position Arattai directly against services like WhatsApp Pay and Google Pay, further reinforcing its ecosystem.
In another post, Vembu addressed concerns regarding India’s reliance on foreign-owned platforms like WhatsApp, which dominates the messaging sector. He referenced a tweet discussing how essential apps like WhatsApp could be taxed as part of “critical infrastructure.” Vembu remarked, “Sobering comment on how critical infrastructure like WhatsApp can be taxed. Businesses already pay heavily.” He reiterated his company’s dedication to Arattai, asserting, “We are in this for the long haul. We won’t give up.” His statements highlight Zoho’s long-term vision of creating a domestic, privacy-centric digital communication ecosystem that diminishes India’s dependence on global tech companies. Earlier this month, Arattai briefly topped India’s Google Play Store charts in the communication category, reflecting renewed user interest.
As of October 30, the app ranks seventh, while WhatsApp holds third place. With end-to-end encryption nearing completion and features like Zoho Pay on the horizon, Arattai is establishing itself as a robust, secure, and proudly Indian option in the messaging domain.