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Analiza Pathak
Born in Guwahati, raised in Mussoorie and Delhi, She grew up reading magazines more than textbooks. She is an experienced writer/editor and has shifted focus to various aspects of communication. Her a ... Read More
India’s own messaging app Arattai is quickly becoming a strong local alternative to WhatsApp. The app has seen a sharp rise in downloads over the past month, and its founder, Sridhar Vembu, has been emphasizing the importance of making messaging apps work seamlessly with one another. Interestingly, WhatsApp now seems to be taking steps in the same direction i.e. testing a feature that could let users message Arattai users directly from WhatsApp.
Developed by Chennai-based Zoho Corporation, Arattai has grown rapidly in popularity, especially as more users look for Indian-made digital platforms. Vembu has often compared his idea of cross-platform messaging to how UPI allows smooth money transfers between different apps.
Now, in what looks like a response to this idea, WhatsApp is testing a new feature that would allow people to chat with users on other messaging platforms, including Arattai. As per WaBetaInfo, the feature is currently being tested with a few beta users in Europe. If successful, it could soon allow WhatsApp and Arattai users to communicate without switching between apps, marking a big step toward open and connected messaging.
In September, Sridhar Vembu urged the tech world to create a common standard for messaging apps, similar to how UPI allows different payment platforms to work together. He said, “Messaging systems should be open and interoperable like UPI or email, not closed like WhatsApp. We never want to become a monopoly.”
The move appears to be influenced by regulatory pressure from the European Union (EU). Under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), large tech companies like WhatsApp are required to allow users to communicate across different messaging platforms to prevent monopoly control.
At present, WhatsApp’s cross-platform feature only supports one external app—BirdyChat—and demands that third-party apps meet its encryption and privacy standards. Arattai, meanwhile, has not yet introduced end-to-end encryption but has confirmed that the update is coming soon.
For now, the new feature is limited to Europe, and there’s no confirmation on when—or whether—it will expand to India. Until then, Arattai has a chance to keep growing its user base as WhatsApp works to comply with new global regulations.
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