Zoho founder and CEO Sridhar Vembu said the company is testing end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for its messaging app Arattai, with plans to roll it out soon—possibly ahead of schedule.

Vembu explained that Arattai is shifting away from cloud storage to ensure all data stays on users’ devices. “We are turning off cloud storage in Arattai to offer fully end-to-end encrypted chat,” he said in a post on X.

End-to-end encryption ensures that only the sender and receiver can read messages, with no access even for Arattai. Unlike Zoho Cliq, which uses cloud storage for admin features, Arattai’s model prioritises privacy by removing server-level access. The move will also reduce Zoho’s server costs as messages will be stored locally.

The change positions Arattai as a fully privacy-focused alternative to apps like WhatsApp. WhatsApp uses E2EE for personal chats but not always for business or cloud backups.

Arattai, meaning “casual chat” in Tamil, was launched in 2021. The app has recently experienced a surge in downloads in India. It supports messaging, voice and video calls, file sharing, stories, and group chats. Additionally, it’s designed to work smoothly even on low-end phones and slow networks.

Zoho hosts all Arattai data within India and does not run ads or monetise user data, reinforcing its privacy-first approach.

Ready to invest like a pro? Unicorn Signals app equips you with 100+ Free tools and knowledge you need to succeed. Download the Unicorn Signals app and gain access to daily stock lists and insightful market analysis and much more!