Zoho is taking a significant step to improve the security of its home-grown messaging app, Arattai. The co-founder and Chief Scientist Sridhar Vembu of Zoho has confirmed that the company will roll out mandatory end-to-end encryption (E2EE) across the messaging platform. This is a change he describes as one of the most important updates in Arattai’s history.
What does Encryption feature means for users?
End to end encryption feature ensures that messages remain private between senders and recipients. This also means that not even Zoho will be able to access the content. Although the update will start with one-to-one chats, followed later by group conversations. According to Sridhar Vembu, the change is so massive that it required a complete redesign of the app’s internal architecture.
How Zoho Is Testing the Update?
Zoho is working to make sure the transition in offering users end to end encryption is smooth. Zoho has therefore begun testing with around 6,000 of its own employees. The first versions revealed a few bugs, which the engineering team fixed. A fresh build is now under internal validation.
Sridhar Vembu points out that because the infrastructure change is major, the update will be forced every user will have to install the new version for Arattai to work correctly.
When the Encryption Will Go Live?
Although the latest version of Arattai is already listed on app stores, the encryption feature is not yet active by default. Zoho plans to switch it on remotely only after final test results are satisfactory. If everything goes as planned, the rollout could happen within days.
Why This Move Matters?
This update sends a clear signal that it protecting user privacy is a top priority for Zoho. Unlike many messaging platforms that rely on data monetisation, Zoho’s philosophy has always leaned toward minimal invasion. Moreover by making encryption mandatory, Arattai ensures it’s position into the same league as highly secure messaging tools like Signal, but with a Indian identity.
Speed and User Experience
Zoho says the new version of Arattai will feel faster, more responsive, and more intuitive to navigate. This isn’t just a security update it’s a full change designed to make the app better in every way.
Making Technology for India
For Zoho, this update is more than a feature upgrade. It aligns with the company’s vision of building “sovereign tech” which is technology that is developed, hosted, and maintained within India. At a time when digital privacy is increasingly under the spotlight in matters of national sovereignty and defense. Arattai’s move signals a serious commitment to trust and user ownership.
