A new homegrown messaging app called Arattai, developed by Chennai-based tech company Zoho, is becoming a popular Indian alternative to WhatsApp. Recently, Arattai saw a record number of downloads after its founder, Sridhar Vembu, shared his vision of how messaging apps should be able to connect with each other, just like UPI payments work across different apps. Interestingly, WhatsApp now seems to be working on a similar idea.

Can WhatsApp users chat with Arattai users?

According to a report by WaBetaInfo, WhatsApp is currently testing a feature that would let its users send messages to people using other apps, such as Arattai. This means a person on WhatsApp could chat with someone on another app without having to install that app themselves. However, the feature is only available to beta testers in Europe right now.

Sridhar Vembu had earlier explained that he wants messaging platforms to become open and connected. He compared this to the UPI system, where users of different payment apps can send money to each other easily. In his words, “These systems need to be interoperable like UPI and email, and not closed like WhatsApp today. We do not want to be a monopoly ever.”

At first, it might look like WhatsApp is copying Arattai’s idea, but the main reason behind this update is the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). This law was created to prevent large tech companies like Meta (which owns WhatsApp) from becoming too dominant. The DMA now requires big messaging platforms to open communication channels so users can message across different apps.

Currently, WhatsApp’s cross-platform feature supports only one third-party app called BirdyChat. Other app developers who want to connect to WhatsApp must apply and meet strict encryption and privacy standards. For now, Arattai doesn’t yet offer end-to-end encryption, but the company says it plans to add it soon.

Will this feature come to India?

At present, this cross-chatting feature is only being tested in Europe. WhatsApp has not announced any plans to bring it to India or other countries yet. So for Indian users, connecting WhatsApp and Arattai directly might take some time, but if global messaging becomes more open in the future, this could soon change how people communicate online.