Zoho Launches Privacy-Focussed Browser ‘Ulaa’ To Take On Google, Microsoft

Taking on tech giants Google and Microsoft, Chennai-based SaaS unicorn Zoho Corporation on Thursday (May 4) launched a privacy-centred browser ‘Ulaa’, which means voyage in Tamil. The company claimed that the browser is built to secure personal data with pre-built capabilities to universally block tracking and website surveillance. 

In a statement, Zoho said that Ulaa is equipped with features that allow for built-in user profile modes, privacy customisation, and integrated productivity tools while also keeping user data private and safe. 

Ulaa users can also sync browsing sessions between devices – either an entire browser window or a singular tab – that would allow them to use multiple devices for the same browsing session, it added.

“Not many browsers on the market today are built to protect user privacy. They were created to protect respective company’s ad-based business models and surveillance companies that complement them, which runs counter to protecting users,” Sridhar Vembu, CEO and cofounder of Zoho, said. “This conflict between user’s preferences and browser’s business models means end users lose.” 

Vembu claimed that with Ulaa, users will not have to compromise their privacy while web browsing.

It must be noted that as per a recent report by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) and Kantar, 759 Mn Indians, which is 42% of the total population, are active internet users. However, web privacy continues to be a major concern even despite the ongoing revamps in privacy rules and laws. 

Zoho said that while existing internet browsers use time trackers or idle monitors that feed data back to software providers and companies that pay them for user data, Ulaa doesn’t track or share user data with any third parties. 

Ulaa also prohibits DNS prefetching, which means data cannot be cached. Ad and data tracking blockers in Ulaa also prevent unauthorised push notifications, pop-ups, and time tracking, hence protecting users from identity theft, targeted advertising, and any other online tracking and surveillance, said Zoho.

Besides, the SaaS giant said that its browser disables the API, which allows websites to connect and communicate with devices connected to the computer and wifi network, hence providing security from being tracked.

Ulaa is currently available for free for desktops. The free iOS and Android versions are currently in beta mode but available for download.

Besides providing a strong security layer, Ulaa is also integrated with apps such as Zia (Zoho Intelligent Assistant) Search and Zoho Notebook. 

Ulaa also comes with five different user profile modes – personal and work modes, kids mode, developer mode, and open season mode.

Zoho’s Growing Focus On AI

In a separate statement today, Zoho talked about its plans and investments in AI. As part of it, the unicorn said it has integrated ChatGPT’s generative AI with Zia.

“The fusion of ChatGPT’s generative AI with our homegrown AI features will provide users with a more intuitive, efficient, and secure experience, reflecting Zoho’s deep R&D-first culture,” said Ramprakash Ramamoorthy, director of AI research at Zoho Corporation.

In a conversation with Inc42 last year, Vembu said that though the company’s growth slowed in 2022 compared to the previous year, Zoho’s investments in R&D held the business in good stead when it comes to customer acquisition.

Recently, Vembu also spoke about the dangers of adopting new technologies like AI without appropriate safeguards. It could cause ‘unprecedented disruption of the existing social order’, he said.

Founded in 1996 by Vembu and Tony Thomas, Zoho has over 80 Mn customers and more than 12K employees globally. Despite the business slowdown, the bootstrapped unicorn posted a net profit of INR 2,749 Cr in FY22, registering a 43% jump from INR 1,917 Cr in FY21.