Supreme Courtroom of India has lately dismissed a petition filed by a woman physician who claimed that her entry to WhatsApp was a elementary proper, after her account was blocked by the messaging platform. Nonetheless, the Apex Courtroom dominated that the ruse of a non-public messaging service doesn't fall below the purview of constitutionally protected rights. The petitioner strategy the Supreme Courtroom of India in search of restoration of her WhatsApp account. Dr. Raman Kundra argued that platform was important for her skilled and private communication. However, the bench led by Justice Sanjiv Khanna, noticed that WhatsApp is a non-public entity and customers aren't sure by its phrases of service. The court docket additionally requested the physician to make use of different various messaging platform such because the Arattai app made by Zoho. “You should use Arattai,” the bench remarked.
Courtroom's Stand: No elementary proper to non-public platforms
The Apex Courtroom confused on the truth that entry to non-public digital platforms similar to WhatsApp just isn't a assured proper below the Structure of India. It famous that whereas digital communication is necessary, customers a lot comply to the insurance policies of the platform and that they can't declare entitlement to companies that are operated privately.Together with this, the bench additionally declined to entertain any additional arguments that WhatsApp's actions amounted to violation of free speech, stating that such claims have to be addresses through applicable regulatory or civil channels. “Ms. Mahalaxmi Pawni, realized senior counsel showing for the petitioners, upon directions, seeks permission to withdraw this petition with liberty to the petitioners to avail such different treatment as could also be obtainable below legislation earlier than applicable discussion board.,” reads the court docket's order.
Arattai messaging app's rising affect
Zoho's homegrown messaging app Arattai lately surged to the highest spot in India's app shops, briefly overtaking WhatsApp, Telegram, and Sign, amid a wave of patriotic downloads and rising demand for native digital platforms. Launched in 2021, Arattai—which means “chat” in Tamil—was initially seen as a distinct segment aspect challenge. However within the wake of AI anxieties, spy ware scandals, and scrutiny of Huge Tech, its pitch as a “spyware-free, made-in-India messenger” has struck a chord with customers.The app's rise was fueled by endorsements from authorities officers, together with Union Training Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who urged Indians to undertake indigenous platforms below the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.Arattai provides acquainted options similar to:
- One-to-one and group chats with textual content, voice notes, and media sharing
- Audio and video calls with end-to-end encryption
- Multi-device assist, together with desktop and Android TV apps
- Tales and channels for broadcasting updates
