00:00Aratai Messenger is India's ambitious answer to WhatsApp, a homegrown app developed by Zoho
00:08Corporation in Chennai and now gaining rapid traction across the nation. In response to
00:14long-standing concerns about privacy, data security and digital sovereignty, Aratai offers
00:21features similar to global messaging platforms but promises a distinctly Indian edge. Aratai's
00:28name itself means casual chat in Tamil, an apt branding for an app designed to be both everyday
00:34and relatable. Recently endorsed by the Union Education Minister and supported by government
00:41initiatives encouraging Swadeshi technology, Aratai is positioned at the forefront of India's push for
00:48indigenous digital solutions. Its user base has exploded, with daily sign-ups surging to several
00:55lack in just a matter of days, sending it to the very top of App Store rankings on both Android and
01:02iOS platforms. Feature-wise, Aratai delivers everything users expect – text messaging, voice notes, image
01:10and document sharing, group chats accommodating up to 1,000 participants, dedicated channels for
01:17broadcasting or following creators, and stories that disappear after 24 hours. Video and audio calls are
01:25offered in high-definition quality, even over slow internet connections, and group meetings are supported.
01:33Features aimed at both casual users and those seeking organizational connectivity.
01:38What truly distinguishes Aratai is the app's commitment to privacy and local data storage.
01:46Unlike global competitors, Zoho pledges that user data will never be sold or used for advertising and is
01:53kept securely within Indian servers. Calls made on Aratai are end-to-end encrypted, ensuring only the sender and
02:02receiver have access to call content. However, messages are not yet fully end-to-end encrypted, a crucial feature that
02:10WhatsApp offers and which privacy advocates point to as a limitation in Aratai's architecture.
02:19Interface, usability and features are familiar for WhatsApp users. Customizable chat backgrounds, multi-device support
02:28including desktops and Android TV, and the ability to set usernames instead of sharing phone numbers.
02:35Features like Pockets allow secure storage of important messages and files in the cloud, and users can turn off
02:43read receipts, hide online status, and restrict who can add them to groups.
02:48Where WhatsApp retains an advantage is in payments integration, polls, disappearing messages,
02:54and advanced privacy options, which Aratai currently lacks. Aratai's rise is part of a growing movement
03:02favoring Make in India technology, fostered by increasing geopolitical awareness and a desire for
03:08digital autonomy. It's seen not just as a messaging platform, but as a challenge to tech giants, tapping
03:16into patriotic sentiment and a drive for national self-reliance. Still, WhatsApp's deep integration
03:24into Indian life, over 500 million users, means that for now, Aratai is more of a robust challenger
03:31than a direct replacement. Its success will depend on bridging the feature gap, especially around
03:38encryption and sustaining rapid improvements.
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