India needs its tech champions to step up and safeguard data sovereignty, according to Zoho co-founder Sridhar Vembu. He has been a vocal proponent of "Swadeshi" tech, emphasizing the critical need for India to build its own technological capabilities to counter the weaponization of technology by other nations.
Vembu's call to action comes at a time when data privacy and security are increasingly important, with growing concerns about how user data is handled by tech companies. He has stressed the importance of a patriotic spirit among India's educated elite to drive national development in the technology sector. He believes that viewing oneself as a "global citizen" without a sense of belonging to the nation is detrimental to progress.
Zoho, the Chennai-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) company founded by Vembu in 1996, has emerged as a key player in India's push for digital sovereignty. The company develops all its products in India and hosts Indian user data within the country, with data centers in Mumbai, Delhi, and Chennai, and plans to expand to Odisha. This commitment to local data hosting ensures that Indian data is subject to Indian laws and security systems, enhancing data privacy and protection. Zoho operates over 18 data centers worldwide, ensuring regional data is hosted within respective jurisdictions. Vembu has clarified that Zoho uses its own infrastructure built on open-source foundations, avoiding reliance on third-party cloud services like AWS or Azure.
The Indian government is actively promoting the adoption of homegrown technology and reducing dependency on foreign platforms. In a significant move, approximately 1.2 million central government employees have migrated to Zoho Mail for their official email services, marking one of the largest technological transitions in the country's history. This shift aligns with the Digital India and Make in India missions, with the government aiming to strengthen the nation's software ecosystem, ensure data security, and promote self-reliance. The Ministry of Education has also directed its officials to use the Zoho Office Suite, reinforcing the "Swadeshi movement".
Several Union ministers have publicly endorsed Zoho's office suite and its messaging app, Arattai, as alternatives to offerings from Big Tech. Arattai, positioned as 'India's WhatsApp', experienced a massive surge in traffic, and the National Informatics Centre (NIC) has integrated Zoho's tools. Zoho aims to make Arattai a Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), ensuring privacy, encryption, and no data selling.
Vembu has also addressed concerns about privacy and compliance with the law, stating that Zoho complies with the laws of the countries in which it operates. While Zoho prioritizes user privacy and data protection, it cannot provide absolute protection to individuals acting against their government. He also emphasized that Zoho does not use user data for advertising purposes, further protecting user privacy.
Zoho frames its vision as "transnational localism" – globally usable tech rooted in local needs. Vembu has stated that India must be self-reliant in technology and able to trade on equal terms. He envisions building commendable products that users find valuable, with a long-term goal of deep R&D, strong sovereign infrastructure, and support for India's digital needs across businesses and government bodies.
The government's backing of Zoho is seen as a symbolic alignment with the "Atmanirbhar Bharat" (Self-Reliant India) agenda, positioning Zoho as a key player in India's journey toward digital sovereignty. By choosing an Indian company with local server infrastructure and products built on indigenous development, the government aims to control critical data flows, ensure heightened data security, and achieve technological autonomy.
