A few days back, WhatsApp made changes in its privacy policy that confirms that the company will give Facebook access to WhatsApp data. Users will have to agree to these changes in the privacy policy to keep using the messaging app. Several users didn’t like the change and inquired about a secure alternate. Tesla Chief recommended Signal as a better messaging app and Signal saw a surge in insure base. Now India’s popular SaaS company Zoho is also set to give users an alternative secure and free instant messaging app.
Zoho has released ‘Arattai’ on the Google Play Store after testing it with its employees internally. The app is similar to WhatsApp where you can create an account by your phone number.
Arattai’s privacy policy states that it collects mobile device unique ID, the IP address, operating system, and type of mobile Internet browser you use along with profile data your enter on your account. The company confirmed that it won’t share any data it collects with any third parties without a user’s prior consent. The privacy policy notes how your data can be shared.
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“However, we may need to share your information with our employees, business partners, reselling partners, and other third-party service providers who are engaged by us in order to assist us in rendering our service. Such sharing occurs only on a need-to-know basis and only with those who maintain appropriate confidentiality and security practices. We may also share the information with governmental agencies and other third parties in order to (i) comply with applicable laws, (ii) protect the rights and safety of our users, employees, and the general public, and (iii) to prevent fraud.”
I installed the app and found the UI to be pretty simple. The UI has a night mode that is enabled by default. You can also set the passcode lock on the app. It also has most of the features you have in WhatsApp including read receipt, last seen online, group chats, video calls, audio calls, location sharing, audio sharing, disappearing messages, and more.
It has a few other notable features like screen security that prevents app content from appearing in the app switching screen, fonts. disappearing mode.
Zoho says that app is free and will remain free forever. It will also free from ads forever. If you really want a good alternate to WhatsApp, you can try Zoho’s Arattai app.
