Zoho Founder Unfazed by Arattai’s App Store Ranking Drop
Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu has broken his silence after the company’s messaging app Arattai dropped out of the top 100 apps on both Google Play Store and Apple App Store, stating this fluctuation is normal and the company remains focused on long-term technology development.
Key Takeaways
- Arattai has fallen out of top 100 apps on major app stores
- Zoho founder calls this normal product development cycle
- Company prioritizing long-term technology over temporary hype
- End-to-end encryption rollout confirmed in phases
Long-term Vision Over Short-term Metrics
In an interview with ANI, Vembu emphasized that such ranking fluctuations are expected when building sustainable technology. “There’s nothing going wrong. I think, first of all, the idea that something went wrong is what is wrong. It is a normal course of events. Nothing goes straight to the moon. You have to go through these ups and downs,” he stated.
The Zoho founder clarified the company’s strategy focuses on enduring technological progress rather than chasing temporary app store rankings. “I really don’t care to operate in a pure hype environment. We are here to produce really long-term technology,” Vembu noted.
Beyond App Store Rankings
Vembu warned against mistaking app-store spikes for lasting success, telling employees the top spot was temporary. He highlighted Zoho’s global footprint with 90% revenue coming from outside India, while stressing the need for domestic technological capability.
“If we want to become a higher-income economy we have to focus on value addition. That means inventing all of this technology,” he argued, emphasizing India’s need to move up the value chain through homegrown innovation.
Messaging Ecosystem and Encryption
Vembu welcomed moves to open existing platforms to third-party apps, stating credible competition keeps monopolies in check. “If we open up existing ecosystems for a lot of apps to play, that itself is a valuable service,” he said.
Addressing encryption concerns, Vembu confirmed Arattai will introduce device-based encryption soon, with secure cloud backups preserving chat history without content exposure to follow in coming weeks.
On Tech Layoffs and Employee Loyalty
Commenting on widespread tech layoffs, Vembu criticized routine job cuts, arguing employers must first demonstrate commitment to earn employee loyalty. “The fundamental question facing companies is whether we can expect loyalty and commitment from employees if employers do not first show commitment and loyalty in return,” he stated.
