Indian market

AppWizard
December 1, 2025
By February 2026, India's telecom authority will implement a SIM binding policy requiring users to continuously verify their registered SIM cards for messaging applications like WhatsApp to combat cyber fraud. Users will be logged out of web versions of these apps after six hours, necessitating re-authentication via QR code. Messaging platforms have a 90-day period to comply with this requirement, which means apps will stop functioning if the registered SIM is removed. The new regulations classify these platforms as Telecommunication Identifier User Entities (TIUEs), expanding regulatory oversight. Challenges may arise for travelers and multi-device users, as they may face difficulties maintaining access to services. Critics, including industry insiders, question the feasibility and effectiveness of the policy, calling it problematic and an overreach. Messaging platforms must comply by early 2026 to avoid regulatory consequences.
AppWizard
October 28, 2025
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 8, 2025
Arattai, a messaging application developed by Zoho Corporation, was launched in January 2021 as an internal communication tool and has since grown significantly, with user sign-ups increasing from 3,000 to 350,000 in three days and monthly active users exceeding 1 million. In September 2025, app downloads rose from under 10,000 to 400,000. The app allows file sharing of up to 2 GB and supports group creation with 1,000 members. It remains ad-free and does not use AI integration or data tracking. Arattai is designed specifically for Indian users, supporting multiple regional languages and optimized for low-cost smartphones and slower internet connections, with all data stored in Indian data centers. Despite its growth, it faces competition from WhatsApp, which has 2.95 billion global monthly active users, including 535.8 million in India. Arattai's security features include end-to-end encryption for voice and video calls, but text messages are unencrypted.
AppWizard
October 1, 2025
Zoho's instant messaging application, 'Arattai,' has gained significant attention as a potential alternative to WhatsApp, particularly after endorsement from Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Daily sign-ups increased from 3,000 to 350,000 within 72 hours, and Arattai now has over 1 million monthly active users. Most new users are from India, prompting Zoho to enhance its infrastructure to meet demand, although some users have faced issues like OTP delays. Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu indicated plans for a significant launch in November and discussions for messaging protocol standardization. Arattai evolved from Zoho Chat and aims to reflect India's unique needs. Challenges remain, as local platforms like Koo and Hike Messenger struggled to maintain user bases. Industry experts note that being an Indian product alone may not be enough to compete with established platforms. Arattai is focusing on user feedback, infrastructure, and plans to implement end-to-end encryption while avoiding advertising in its monetization strategy.
AppWizard
September 30, 2025
The Arattai app, launched in 2021 by Zoho, has gained significant popularity by 2025, becoming a leading name in social networking and topping App Store charts. In comparison, WhatsApp was founded in 2009 and became part of Meta in 2014. Arattai features a clean and intuitive interface with sections like Meetings, Pocket, and Mentions, while WhatsApp's interface is more basic. Key features of Arattai include a Meetings section for recording, a Pocket for personal storage, enhanced location sharing until reaching a destination, a Mentions tab for tagged messages, and multi-device support, including Android TV. WhatsApp currently offers end-to-end encryption, while Arattai is developing similar security measures.
Tech Optimizer
August 21, 2025
Quick Heal Technologies was founded by brothers Kailash and Sanjay Katkar in Pune, focusing on antivirus solutions to combat rising computer viruses. It became India's first homegrown antivirus and is now a globally recognized company. Despite India's digital economy expanding, only 7% of organizations are mature in cybersecurity readiness, facing challenges such as a skills deficit, fragmented security implementations, and a disconnect between executive priorities and security realities. India needs over 800,000 cybersecurity professionals, and educational institutions must integrate practical threat scenarios into their curricula. The "Make in India" movement is fostering indigenous cybersecurity solutions that address local threats while being globally relevant. Quick Heal utilizes AI to enhance threat detection and response, analyzing vast amounts of data while emphasizing the irreplaceable role of human expertise in strategic decision-making. Emerging threats include AI-powered social engineering, supply chain attacks, and cloud misconfigurations. Organizations should adopt Zero Trust architectures, invest in continuous security training, and utilize integrated threat intelligence. Quick Heal's leadership emphasizes solving real problems for customers and encourages young engineers to gain practical experience in cybersecurity. Recommended strategies for CISOs include aligning security investments with business priorities, embracing automation, and establishing integrated threat intelligence for effective risk management.
AppWizard
August 12, 2025
Google has approached the Supreme Court regarding an antitrust case that could significantly impact India's digital economy, particularly concerning its dominance over the Android operating system and the requirement for app developers to use Google's payment systems, which can impose commissions of 15-30%. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) found Google to be a dominant entity, concluding that its practices constituted abuse of power, resulting in a penalty of ₹936 crores. Google appealed this decision, leading to a reduced penalty of ₹217 crores from the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT), which did not classify Google as a "gatekeeper." Google has since filed additional appeals with the Supreme Court, which is set to hear the case in November. A study on Indian farmers revealed that extreme heat, with temperatures exceeding 43°C, significantly impacts their livelihoods, leading to increased food insecurity and undernutrition. While average calorie consumption remained stable, the incidence of "strong undernutrition" rose, affecting approximately 3 million individuals. The study found that extreme heat forces families to seek non-farm employment and adapt their food sources, often leading to a decline in job retention and increased vulnerability due to limited access to credit. The findings suggest that climate change is exacerbating challenges in Indian agriculture, necessitating policy interventions to enhance resilience and support affected households. India's cabinet approved a one-time ₹300 billion payout to state-run fuel retailers to compensate for losses from selling subsidized LPG. Tata Motors reported a 63% year-on-year drop in Q1 consolidated profit, while Nayara faced scrutiny over Russian oil imports. The Supreme Court upheld a ruling classifying telecom towers as movable property, providing tax relief for telecom companies. Tesla India signed a nine-year lease for a showroom in Delhi, marking its expansion into the Indian market.
TrendTechie
July 31, 2025
Torrent Pharmaceuticals is acquiring a controlling stake of 46.39% in JB Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals from KKR for ₹119 billion, positioning JB Pharma's market capitalization at ₹256.89 billion. Following this acquisition, Torrent may purchase an additional 26% of shares from minority shareholders and up to 2.8% from JB Pharma employees. This move aims to strengthen Torrent's domestic business and enhance its presence in new therapeutic areas, particularly ophthalmology. JB Chemicals has a strong position in hypertension treatment and operates in Russia and South Africa. Torrent Pharmaceuticals has eight manufacturing facilities, five FDA-approved, and is prominent in cardiology, gastroenterology, and neurology in India, with a research and development center employing over 750 scientists.
AppWizard
June 26, 2025
Sends Messenger has gained popularity as a leading chat application in India, experiencing a significant increase in downloads due to its focus on secure messaging. The app prioritizes privacy with features such as end-to-end encryption, user anonymity, and a no data-sharing policy. It offers a user-friendly interface with advanced security options, including self-destructing messages and private group chats. The development team is working on adding payment solutions within the app for seamless money transactions. The app's growth is fueled by rising awareness of digital privacy and the demand for secure, feature-rich platforms in India's large market of over 800 million smartphone users. Sends Messenger is available for download on the App Store and Google Play.
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