‘Please update Arattai’: Zoho's Sridhar Vembu to users ahead of big encryption rollout tonight

Sridhar Vembu, the founder of Zoho, has called on users to promptly update the Arattai messaging application ahead of a significant transition to end-to-end encryption (E2E) for text communications, which is set to be implemented tonight IST. In a message shared on social media platform X, Vembu emphasized the importance of users not only updating their app but also encouraging their contacts to do the same. He clarified that the new encryption features will only be functional if both participants in a conversation have the latest version of the app. Once the upgrade is in place, Arattai will automatically initiate a new encrypted chat session, while previous unencrypted messages will be archived. Vembu explained that users will be redirected to the encrypted chat interface from the old conversation screen. However, it is important to note that if one party has not updated, the old chat will remain accessible for a limited time. Specifically, users will be able to continue using the previous chat session for an additional three days before being required to upgrade. While the current rollout focuses on one-on-one chats, Vembu mentioned that group chats will not yet be encrypted but are expected to receive support in the coming weeks. Additionally, a backup solution for encrypted conversations is in development and should be available in about two weeks. Until then, users who reinstall the app may face challenges in recovering their encrypted chat histories. Describing this update as a major milestone, Vembu indicated that the encryption rollout is just the beginning of a series of enhancements planned for Arattai. The app already features end-to-end encryption for voice and video calls, and all data is stored securely within India. In contrast to other popular messaging applications, Zoho emphasizes its commitment to user privacy by not selling data or displaying advertisements. With the encryption update imminent, Vembu’s message to users is clear: update your app, remind your contacts, and get ready for a more secure messaging experience with Arattai.