Arattai Archives

AppWizard

October 4, 2026

Zoho launches business version of messaging app Arattai

Zoho has launched a business version of its messaging application, Arattai, designed for seamless communication between businesses and customers. Alongside this, the Arattai Business Platform has been introduced to integrate existing business software with Arattai, featuring a Mini-App capability for smooth AI integrations. Users can opt out of business promotions, and a dedicated business chat view has been added. Zoho positions Arattai as an alternative to WhatsApp, aiming to capture the Indian market. The platform will be free for government entities, public services, and healthcare and educational institutions.

AppWizard

October 2, 2026

Zoho launches Arattai-for-Business app; offers free messaging for healthcare, education

Sridhar Vembu, founder of Zoho, has launched the Arattai-for-Business app to improve business communications. This app is part of the Arattai Business Platform, which connects existing business software with the Arattai messaging service and is offered for free to government and public services, including the Railways. Zoho is also providing healthcare and educational institutions with a complimentary messaging allowance of up to one million messages per month. The Arattai-for-Business app is now live, but details on pricing for other businesses and a timeline for integrations with public services were not provided.

AppWizard

August 12, 2026

Privacy or Evasion? The Policy Dilemma Around Messaging App Usernames

On June 29, 2026, WhatsApp introduced a feature allowing users to create usernames to enhance privacy by enabling connections without revealing phone numbers. The Government of India expressed concerns about potential increases in cybercrime linked to this feature and issued a notice to WhatsApp requesting a pause on its rollout. The notice demanded justification under various laws, including the Information Technology Act, 2000. Similar inquiries were sent to other messaging platforms like Telegram and Signal. This scrutiny represents a shift from reactive measures to proactive assessments of platform design, emphasizing how features like usernames can impact user safety and accountability. The Delhi High Court upheld a temporary ban on Telegram during an examination period, recognizing the relevance of platform architecture in assessing risks. The increase in cybersecurity incidents in India raised concerns about usernames enabling fraud and evasion. The government is advocating for a balanced approach that allows pseudonymous interaction while ensuring accountability.

AppWizard

July 3, 2026

messaging app arattai withdraws username feature

Zoho-owned messaging app Arattai has disabled its Username feature to comply with regulatory changes, as stated by Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu. The decision reflects concerns over digital privacy and security amid evolving regulations. The Indian government has issued notices to WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram regarding their usernames feature, instructing them to refrain from rolling it out until proper consultations are conducted. Digital advocacy groups, like the Internet Freedom Foundation, criticize the government's approach as an overreach into private companies' operational decisions. WhatsApp has addressed user concerns by releasing a FAQ related to impersonation, scams, and unwanted contacts.

AppWizard

December 2, 2025

India Orders Messaging Apps to Work Only With Active SIM Cards to Prevent Fraud and Misuse

India's Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has mandated that app-based communication service providers implement measures requiring an active SIM card linked to the user's mobile number. This applies to messaging applications such as WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal, which must comply within 90 days. The amendment to the Telecommunications (Telecom Cyber Security) Rules, 2024, aims to mitigate the misuse of telecommunication identifiers exploited for phishing and scams. The directive requires continuous linkage to the SIM card, and web service instances will log out every six hours, necessitating re-linking via QR code. This is intended to reduce account takeover risks and ensure that accounts are linked to KYC-verified SIMs. The DoT also announced a Mobile Number Validation (MNV) platform to combat identity fraud related to unverified mobile number associations.

AppWizard

November 13, 2025

Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu on Arattai app dropping out of top 100 list: ‘I literally told our employees…’ – The Times of India

Sridhar Vembu, CEO of Zoho Corporation, addressed the decline of the company's messaging app, Arattai, from the top 100 apps list, viewing it as a normal part of business evolution rather than a setback. He emphasized the importance of a long-term perspective in business, asserting that successful companies endure fluctuations. Vembu stated that Zoho has invested a decade in developing messaging technology, making the recent ranking drop insignificant. He mentioned the company's commitment to rolling out frequent updates for Arattai and highlighted the necessity of credible competition in the messaging app market to keep monopolistic entities accountable.

AppWizard

October 28, 2025

Arattai Rising: Can India’s Homegrown Messenger Challenge WhatsApp’s Throne?

Arattai, a messaging app in India, gained significant traction in September and October 2025, reaching over 5 million downloads on certain days and surpassing established platforms like Telegram and Snapchat. Its rise was supported by media attention, endorsements from government officials, and alignment with Prime Minister Modi's Swadeshi initiative. Union Home Minister Amit Shah's switch to Zoho email led to a 100-fold increase in Arattai's traffic within three days. The app offers end-to-end encryption for voice and video calls but lacks full encryption for text messages by default. It has a “secret chat” feature and plans to implement comprehensive encryption. User data is stored in Indian data centers, and the app aims to maintain a privacy-focused approach without relying on public cloud providers. Arattai faces challenges in competing with WhatsApp, which has over 500 million users and offers extensive features such as UPI payments and default encryption. For long-term success, Arattai needs to standardize encryption, enhance its infrastructure, and build an ecosystem with integrated payment solutions and business tools. Overcoming user inertia from WhatsApp, establishing a strong brand identity, and navigating regulatory scrutiny are also critical for its growth.

AppWizard

October 14, 2025

Supreme Court rejects lady doctor’s claim that access to WhatsApp is fundamental right; suggests can use Zoho’s Arattai app – The Times of India

The Supreme Court of India ruled that access to private digital platforms like WhatsApp is not a constitutionally guaranteed right. Users must adhere to the terms of service of these private entities, and the court dismissed arguments claiming violation of free speech, suggesting such issues should be addressed through regulatory or civil channels. Dr. Raman Kundra sought restoration of her WhatsApp account for professional and personal use but was advised to consider alternatives like the Arattai app, which has gained significant traction in India. Launched in 2021, Arattai briefly surpassed competitors in app store rankings and is positioned as a "spyware-free, made-in-India messenger," endorsed by government officials. It offers features such as one-to-one and group chats, audio and video calls with end-to-end encryption, multi-device support, and broadcasting capabilities.

AppWizard

October 11, 2025

Arattai Messenger rockets to five million downloads within days

Arattai Messenger has achieved over 5 million downloads shortly after its launch. Developed by Zoho, it serves as an alternative to messaging apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Messenger, aiming to meet the needs of smaller organizations. The app features a lightweight design optimized for low-bandwidth environments, making it suitable for users in rural and semi-urban areas. Arattai also offers an Android TV version that allows cross-platform communication. However, it uses localized data storage instead of full end-to-end encryption, raising concerns about privacy and data security among experts.

AppWizard

October 8, 2025

The Indian messaging app that wants to take on WhatsApp

The Indian messaging app Arattai, developed by Zoho, has gained seven million downloads in a week, a significant increase from fewer than 10,000 downloads in August. This surge is attributed to the Indian government's promotion of self-reliance and homegrown products, with endorsements from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and federal minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Arattai's daily sign-ups rose from 3,000 to 350,000 within three days of the government's support. Despite its initial success, Arattai faces competition from WhatsApp, which has around 500 million monthly active users in India. While Arattai offers similar features to WhatsApp, challenges include retaining users beyond initial downloads, concerns about data privacy, and compliance with Indian regulations. Arattai currently provides end-to-end encryption for voice and video calls, but not for text messages; however, it is working to implement this feature. User trust and clarity regarding data privacy will be critical for Arattai's sustained success in a competitive market.