Amid WhatsApp row, Sridhar Vembu says Arattai will remove username-based accounts

Zoho co-founder Sridhar Vembu has announced that Arattai, the company's homegrown messaging platform, will disable its username-based account feature, days after the Indian government asked Meta to pause the rollout of a similar capability on WhatsApp over security concerns.

Vembu shared the update on X, signalling that Arattai would align with the Centre's latest regulatory stance on digital identity and online safety. While he did not specify when the change would take effect, his statement indicates that the feature will be withdrawn in response to the government's concerns.

Vembu aligns Arattai with government's regulatory concerns

Vembu's decision follows MeitY's intervention in WhatsApp's planned username rollout, which has sparked a wider debate around digital privacy, user anonymity and cybercrime investigations.

Arattai, developed by Zoho, is an Indian instant messaging platform that supports text messaging, voice calls and video calls while offering end-to-end encryption. The service was launched as a privacy-focused alternative in the messaging space, with a strong emphasis on secure communication and business collaboration.

More from Tech

Although Arattai had introduced username-based accounts to simplify connections between users, Vembu has now confirmed that the company will discontinue the functionality. He did not provide additional details on the implementation timeline or explain whether existing usernames would be removed immediately.

The announcement makes Arattai one of the first messaging platforms to publicly respond to the government's concerns following the controversy surrounding WhatsApp's proposed feature.

Why WhatsApp's username feature has triggered government scrutiny

The Centre's concerns stem from WhatsApp's plan to let users communicate using unique usernames instead of sharing their mobile numbers with everyone they interact with.

Similar to services offered by Telegram and Signal, the feature would allow users to create an optional public identifier, such as @Name123, while keeping their registered phone number hidden from people who are not already in their contacts. Although a mobile number would still be required to create and secure a WhatsApp account, usernames would become the primary way of connecting with new users.

The privacy-focused design has been welcomed by many users who want to avoid sharing personal phone numbers in public groups, business interactions or first-time conversations.

However, Indian authorities believe the feature could also make it harder to identify individuals involved in cybercrime, financial fraud and other unlawful activities. Officials argue that removing phone numbers as the visible identity marker may complicate investigations by making attribution more difficult.

The concerns prompted MeitY to issue an official notice to Meta, directing the company to suspend the rollout of the feature in India and submit a detailed explanation of its security implications within three days.

The issue has gained additional significance following the Centre's recent submissions before a court during proceedings related to the alleged NEET paper leak. During the hearing, the government argued that platforms such as Telegram have increasingly been used by cybercriminal networks operating through hidden online communities.

Against this backdrop, Vembu's decision to withdraw username-based accounts from Arattai reflects the growing influence of regulatory oversight on the evolution of messaging platforms in India. As authorities continue to balance user privacy with law enforcement requirements, the future of anonymous digital identities on messaging apps is likely to remain under close scrutiny.