As Arattai gains steam, privacy conscious users point out this feature it lacks

The Indian messaging app Arattai, developed by Zoho Corp, has seen a meteoric rise in popularity recently, with many speculating it could rival Meta's WhatsApp in the local market. However, amidst the excitement, privacy-focused users have raised alarms over a significant shortcoming: the absence of default end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for standard messages. Zoho positions Arattai as a privacy-centric platform, emphasizing that all user data is securely stored within India. While the app does offer end-to-end encryption for voice and video calls, regular messaging is currently devoid of this critical feature. Users can opt for a 'secret chat' option, which does provide secure messaging, yet this workaround is seen as inconvenient. Many are frustrated that they must switch to secret messages for encryption, leaving regular one-on-one and group chats exposed. In contrast, competitors like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal offer default E2EE across all communication types, including calls, chats, and video functions. In response to user concerns expressed on social media, Arattai's official account acknowledged the issue and reassured users that enhancing privacy, particularly through end-to-end encryption for chats, is a priority they are actively pursuing. Since its launch in 2021, Arattai has climbed to the top of app rankings in India. However, sustaining this growth will prove challenging, given that WhatsApp has become an integral part of daily life for over 500 million users in the country, facilitating personal communication, commerce, and even government interactions. The extensive user base and network effects of WhatsApp create a significant barrier for emerging competitors like Arattai.