iWorld
ALTBalaji launches a subscription contest for its users
The homegrown OTT platform, ALTBalaji has announced an exciting contest for its app users. As a part of this content, new viewers can avail annual subscription plan for only Rs 300 and get access to some of the best, current and upcoming shows along with viewing the enthralling initial seasons of its previous shows as well.
The contest will start from 9 May until 20 June. To add to the excitement, each week one lucky winner can also get a chance to win a wide range of prizes which include top-of-the-line watches, perfumes, travel hampers, gold shopping vouchers, shopping vouchers and much more. A special hamper of multiple goodies will also be given to anyone lucky winner.
ALTBalaji has always attracted new viewers and wooed them with new path-breaking content and carved a niche for itself in the Indian OTT space. The platform has always offered several appealing incentives to viewers, and this is an effort in that direction.
ALTBalaji has one of the largest original Hindi content libraries, which include 91 original shows spanning genres such as thrillers, drama, romance, youth dramas, horror, comedy, and more which cater to a vast variety of audience segments. Being India’s own homegrown OTT platform, ALTBalaji has featured some of the most talented actors and worked with award-winning directors and acclaimed writers, and it continues to improve the quality of its content. Its upcoming lineup includes shows like Apharan 2, Bois Locker Room, Paurushpur 2, Mental Hood, Season 2 and many more.
iWorld
Meta warns 200 users after fake Whatsapp spyware attack
Italy-targeted campaign used unofficial app to deploy surveillance spyware.
MUMBAI: It looked like a message, but it behaved like a mole. Meta has warned around 200 users most of them in Italy after uncovering a targeted spyware campaign that weaponised a fake version of WhatsApp to infiltrate devices. The attack, first reported by Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata, relied on classic social engineering with a modern twist: persuading users to download an unofficial WhatsApp clone embedded with surveillance software. The malicious application, believed to be developed by Italian firm SIO through its subsidiary ASIGINT, was designed to mimic the real app closely enough to bypass suspicion.
Meta’s security teams identified roughly 200 individuals who may have installed the compromised version, triggering immediate countermeasures. Affected users were logged out of their accounts and issued alerts warning of potential privacy breaches, with the company describing the incident as a “targeted social engineering attempt” aimed at gaining device-level access.
The malicious app was not distributed via official app stores but circulated through third-party channels, where it was presented as a legitimate WhatsApp alternative. Once installed, it reportedly allowed external operators to access sensitive data stored on the device turning a simple download into a potential surveillance gateway.
According to Techcrunch, Meta is now preparing legal action against the spyware developers to curb further misuse. The company, however, has not disclosed details about the specific individuals targeted or the extent of data compromised.
A Whatsapp spokesperson reiterated that user safety remains the top priority, particularly for those misled into installing the fake iOS application. Meanwhile, reports from La Repubblica suggest the spyware may be linked to “Spyrtacus”, a strain previously associated with Android-based attacks that could intercept calls, activate microphones and even access cameras.
The episode underscores a growing reality in the digital age, the threat is no longer just what you download, but where you download it from. As unofficial apps become increasingly convincing, the line between communication tool and covert surveillance is getting harder to spot and far easier to exploit.
