Sridhar Vembu just dropped a big warning for Arattai users ahead of new update

Sridhar Vembu, the CEO of Zoho, has announced significant improvements for the messaging app Arattai, including the addition of end-to-end encryption for text messages. In an interview with ANI, Vembu shared that users can expect a new update within the next few days, with a full backup feature set to be launched in two to four weeks. He explained the challenges that come with implementing end-to-end encryption, particularly the necessity for a backup system. "If you reinstall the app, you will lose all your chats unless you have a backup in place," Vembu stated. He emphasized that the process is technically complex, requiring users to have access to their original device key to ensure safe data recovery. Currently, Arattai already supports end-to-end encryption for voice and video calls, but the rollout of this feature for text messages has been highly anticipated, especially as competition with established apps like WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram intensifies. Despite the recent criticisms regarding security features, Arattai has gained traction in India, recently topping both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store as users seek homegrown alternatives. Moreover, Zoho assures that all user data is securely stored within India, with conversations and titles encrypted in storage. Unlike WhatsApp, which has started displaying ads and plans to use user conversations for personalized advertising, Arattai maintains a policy against selling user data or monetizing through ads.