What Is End-To-End Encryption And Why The Arattai App Needs It
WhatsApp now faces a new challenger from India — Arattai, a homegrown messaging app developed by Zoho. The app has quickly gained attention, especially amid the government’s call to support “Made in India” or Swadeshi apps. Arattai, which literally means “chit-chat,” comes loaded with many of the core features users expect from a modern messaging platform.
However, one major drawback stands out — the lack of end-to-end encryption (E2E) for chats, although the feature is already available for voice and video calls. This missing layer of security has sparked an online debate, pushing Zoho to clarify that E2E for messages is currently being tested internally and will roll out soon.
So why does E2E matter so much? And what does it actually do for your privacy? Let’s break it down.
Why End-To-End Encryption Matters
End-to-end encryption ensures that only the sender and receiver of a message can read its contents — not even the app provider can access them. In simple terms, the data is scrambled into unreadable text during transmission and only decrypted when it reaches the recipient’s device using a unique digital key.
This method keeps your chats safe from hackers, third parties, or even internet service providers who might otherwise intercept the messages. Platforms like WhatsApp and Signal rely on E2E to maintain this level of trust and privacy among users.
The Privacy Gap In Arattai
At present, Arattai’s chats are not protected by E2E encryption, which leaves room for potential privacy risks. Messages can theoretically be intercepted or accessed by malicious actors — or even by authorities if required. For a platform aspiring to be India’s answer to WhatsApp, this is a significant concern.
When Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu launched Arattai in 2021, E2E for chats wasn’t considered essential. But with the app’s growing popularity and rising awareness about data security, it has now become a must-have feature.
Interestingly, while some governments in the West have argued for weakening or removing E2E protections to allow content monitoring, companies like WhatsApp and privacy advocates have stood firm against such proposals — even warning they might withdraw services from regions that mandate backdoor access.
The Road Ahead
For Arattai to truly compete with global players and earn user trust, it must adopt robust, independently auditable encryption standards. Only then can it deliver on the promise of a truly private, secure, and “Made in India” messaging experience.
