A new Made-in-India messaging app called Arattai has been gaining significant traction, topping app store charts with over 350,000 downloads in just a few days. Touted as a potential “WhatsApp killer,” Arattai, which means “casual chat” in Tamil, is developed by Zoho Corporation, a company recently endorsed by the Indian government. But can this seemingly promising alternative truly replace WhatsApp?
What is Arattai and Why the Buzz?
Arattai is a messaging app similar to WhatsApp, allowing users to send photos, videos, messages, create group chats, share status updates, and even conduct audio and video calls. While the app itself isn’t new (it launched around 2021), its recent surge in popularity is attributed to a growing sentiment for Made-in-India products, bolstered by government support for local software solutions like Zoho’s accounting software.
The Critical Security Question: End-to-End Encryption
A key difference and a major security concern for Arattai currently lies in its encryption. While WhatsApp offers end-to-end encryption for all calls and messages, meaning only the sender and receiver can read the content, Arattai currently only provides end-to-end encryption for audio and video calls. This means that regular text messages and chats on Arattai are not end-to-end encrypted, potentially leaving them vulnerable to interception.
End-to-end encryption is crucial for privacy. It transforms messages into a secret code that is indecipherable to anyone other than the intended recipient. Without it, messages could be read by unauthorized parties if intercepted, raising significant privacy concerns for users.
A First Look: User Experience and Features
Upon testing, Arattai’s user interface is noted for its simplicity and minimalistic design, making it easy for new users to navigate. Key features include:
- Stories: Similar to WhatsApp, users can add stories.
- Channels: Users can create “@” accounts, similar to channels on other platforms.
- Meet Now: A standout feature is the ability to initiate or schedule meetings directly within the app, akin to Zoom calls. Users can also join meetings using an ID.
- Basic Messaging and Calling: The app handles basic messaging, audio, and video calls, with the latter two being end-to-end encrypted and performing well in initial tests.
Mixed Reactions and Challenges Ahead
While the initial impression of Arattai is positive due to its simple interface and useful meeting feature, there are mixed reactions regarding its long-term viability as a WhatsApp alternative. The lack of end-to-end encryption for text messages is a significant security concern that could hinder user trust.
Past Made-in-India apps, such as the PUBG alternative FG App and the Twitter alternative Koo App, initially garnered significant support but eventually faced challenges, with Koo even shutting down. A key factor in their struggles was often a lack of robust security or consistent performance.
For Arattai to truly compete with established platforms like WhatsApp, it will need to address the end-to-end encryption for all messages and continuously optimize its performance. While the ambition for a secure, Made-in-India messaging app is commendable, its journey to becoming a widely adopted and trusted platform is still in its early stages.