Zoho's messaging platform, Arattai, recently witnessed a remarkable spike in popularity as it briefly surpassed heavyweights like WhatsApp and Telegram on the Indian app store charts. This surge in downloads reflects a growing interest in homegrown solutions, particularly amidst increasing technological concerns surrounding AI, spyware, and Big Tech oversight.
Government Endorsement Boosts Popularity
Launched in 2021, Arattai, which translates to "chat" in Tamil, has steadily gained momentum. A significant contributor to this momentum is its alignment with the Indian government's Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. Recently, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan emphasized the importance of indigenous platforms, encouraging the adoption of apps like Arattai. This endorsement has undoubtedly contributed to its rising downloads.
Innovative Features and Rapid Growth
Arattai's appeal is strengthened by its promise of being a "spyware-free, made-in-India" application. Its array of features includes one-to-one and group chats, voice notes, media sharing, and voice and video calls, which are believed to have end-to-end encryption. Users can also enjoy multi-device support, including desktop and Android TV apps, and engage with content through Stories and channels.
The recent increase in app activity has been nothing short of incredible. According to Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu, user traffic surged nearly 100 times within just three days. Daily sign-ups skyrocketed from a modest 3,000 to an impressive 350,000, necessitating urgent infrastructure expansion to cope with the burgeoning demand.
Addressing Growing Pains
With rapid growth come challenges, and Arattai is no exception. Users have reported issues such as OTP delays, slower contact synchronization, and glitches during calls, primarily due to server overload. In response, Zoho has acknowledged these challenges and assured users that fixes are underway, albeit they may take a few days to implement.
Additionally, while end-to-end encryption for chats has not been activated, the company confirmed that it is currently under development, a critical step in ensuring user privacy and security.
As Arattai continues to navigate and address these teething issues, its popularity marks a significant milestone for indigenous technology, hinting at a promising future for locally-developed digital solutions.
