WhatsApp Set to Enable Cross-Platform Messaging: Soon You Can Text Arattai Users Directly
The world of instant messaging is on the verge of a major transformation. Soon, users may be able to send messages directly from WhatsApp to users of other chat platforms like Arattai, without switching between apps. According to reports from WaBetaInfo, WhatsApp has started testing this cross-platform messaging feature, marking a huge step toward interoperability in digital communication.
If introduced in India, this update could revolutionize the messaging experience, allowing people to communicate freely across different platforms—just like UPI apps work seamlessly with one another.
A Step Toward Interoperable Messaging
Arattai, an Indian chat app developed by Zoho Corporation, has been steadily gaining popularity in the country. Known for its Made-in-India identity and privacy-first approach, Arattai recently crossed record download numbers.
Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu had earlier advocated for interoperability among chat platforms. He suggested that messaging apps should be built on a common protocol, similar to the UPI model or email systems, where users can interact across services without being locked into one app.
Now, it seems WhatsApp is finally moving in that direction.
What’s the New WhatsApp Feature About?
As per WaBetaInfo, WhatsApp is testing a new feature that allows users to message people on other chat platforms directly through WhatsApp. The feature is currently being tested among a limited number of beta users in Europe.
This means, in the near future, a WhatsApp user could send a message to an Arattai user or any other compatible platform without needing to open that specific app. The cross-platform feature aims to create a universal messaging network, breaking the barriers between different chat services.
The Push Behind the Change: EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA)
While the timing might appear coincidental with Vembu’s vision, WhatsApp’s move is largely influenced by European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). The legislation aims to curb monopoly practices by major tech companies and promote fair competition in the digital ecosystem.
Under DMA, messaging apps categorized as “gatekeepers” — like WhatsApp, Messenger, and iMessage — are required to open their communication systems to other services. This ensures that users have the freedom to chat with anyone, regardless of which app they use.
To comply, WhatsApp has already tested this feature with a third-party app called BirdyChat, setting the stage for a broader rollout. Developers wishing to integrate with WhatsApp must adhere to strict end-to-end encryption (E2EE) standards to maintain user privacy and data protection.
Privacy Concerns and Encryption Standards
Currently, one key difference between WhatsApp and Arattai is encryption. While WhatsApp offers end-to-end encryption by default, ensuring that only the sender and receiver can access messages, Arattai does not yet have this feature enabled.
However, Zoho has confirmed that it plans to introduce end-to-end encryption soon to make cross-platform communication more secure. This step will be crucial before WhatsApp and Arattai can exchange encrypted messages safely.
India’s Role and Future Prospects
As of now, WhatsApp’s cross-platform messaging feature is limited to the European market, and the company hasn’t announced any official rollout plans for India. But given India’s massive WhatsApp user base and the rising adoption of homegrown apps like Arattai, such a feature could reshape India’s digital communication ecosystem.
If implemented, users could enjoy seamless messaging between apps, reducing dependency on any single platform and fostering fair competition in the tech industry.
Experts believe that interoperability between apps could mark the next phase of messaging evolution, where communication becomes as open and borderless as email — a system where anyone can reach anyone, regardless of which app they use.
The Bottom Line
The proposed WhatsApp-Arattai cross-messaging feature is more than just a technical update — it’s a paradigm shift. By breaking down the walls between messaging platforms, it could make digital communication more open, inclusive, and user-driven.
As governments push for more transparency and interoperability, and as users demand more freedom, this move could signal the beginning of a shared chat era — where conversations flow freely across apps, redefining how we connect in the digital age.
