Arattai App to Get End-to-End Encryption for Chats Soon, Confirms Zoho CEO
Zoho’s Arattai app, touted as a made-in-India alternative to WhatsApp, is gearing up to introduce end-to-end encryption (E2E) for text messages — a feature currently missing from the platform. While the app already supports E2E encryption for voice and video calls, chat messages remain unprotected for now.
Zoho CEO Sridhar Vembu confirmed that internal testing of E2E security for chats is underway. Responding to users on social media, Vembu said Arattai uses the Signal Encryption Protocol, which is widely regarded for its strong privacy safeguards and has undergone extensive auditing.
Despite boasting a wide range of features — in some cases exceeding those of WhatsApp — the absence of E2E encryption for chats has been a major gap in Arattai’s otherwise promising ecosystem. The app has seen millions of downloads and climbed rapidly on app store charts, boosted by its “Made in India” identity and endorsements from several government officials.
Arattai currently offers a “Secret Chat” option, but it is not a full substitute for end-to-end encryption and isn’t enabled by default — leaving regular chats potentially vulnerable to interception.
Vembu also revealed that upcoming updates will include cloud storage options, local data saving, and cloud sync access for contacts. Importantly, he reiterated Zoho’s commitment to user privacy, assuring that Arattai will never use personal data for advertising or share it with third-party companies.
As WhatsApp continues to integrate Meta’s AI-driven ad ecosystem — expected to intensify by the end of 2025 — privacy-conscious users may increasingly look for alternatives like Arattai. However, to truly compete, Arattai must deliver on its promise of secure, feature-rich, and reliable messaging beyond just the “Made in India” appeal.
