**Zoho’s Arattai Still Missing Key Privacy Feature Available on WhatsApp**
*By Akash Pandey | Oct 01, 2025, 06:20 PM*
Zoho Corporation’s homegrown messaging app, Arattai, has been gaining traction in the Indian market and is being positioned as a potential competitor to the Meta-owned WhatsApp. However, privacy-conscious users have identified a significant shortcoming: Arattai currently lacks default end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for standard messages. This gap could prove to be a major disadvantage compared to WhatsApp and other popular messaging platforms that offer comprehensive encryption.
### Privacy Commitment: Partial Encryption Available
Despite missing E2EE for regular messages, Zoho promotes Arattai as a privacy-first service with all user data stored securely within India. The app does offer end-to-end encryption for voice and video calls, and there is also a ‘secret chat’ feature designed for secure messaging. Zoho has indicated that full E2EE implementation for all messages is forthcoming.
### User Concerns and Response
Many users have expressed frustration over the absence of default E2EE for standard chats, highlighting that it leaves a large portion of conversations vulnerable. Addressing these concerns, Arattai’s official account on X acknowledged the issue and assured users that the team is actively working to roll out end-to-end encryption for all chats soon.
### What Is Arattai?
Developed by Chennai-based Zoho Corporation, Arattai is a free-to-use, cross-platform instant messaging app. It offers a variety of features including text and voice messaging, audio and video calls, media sharing, story posting, and group chats. The app supports up to five linked devices per account, allowing messages, contacts, and settings to sync seamlessly across smartphones, tablets, and desktops.
### Challenges Ahead: Competing with WhatsApp
Since its launch in 2021, Arattai has recently climbed to the top of app charts on both the App Store and Google Play Store. Nonetheless, maintaining this momentum could be challenging. WhatsApp remains deeply embedded in Indian life, with over 500 million users relying on it daily for personal communication, commerce, and government services. Its vast network effects and expanding business platform provide a significant competitive advantage over emerging rivals like Arattai.
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While Arattai is making strides as an Indian alternative to WhatsApp, addressing key privacy features like default end-to-end encryption will be crucial for winning users’ trust and sustaining growth in a highly competitive market.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/science/zoho-s-arattai-missing-this-key-whatsapp-privacy-feature/story