iWorld
IBC 2019: Synamedia to show how it helps direct-to-consumer providers win top billing for live and VOD streaming services
MUMBAI: At IBC 2019 Synamedia will shine a spotlight on how its offerings help media companies and sports rights holders deliver a new generation of direct-to-consumer (D2C) services centred increasingly around live assets.
Synamedia’s video network technologies, security offerings, and Infinite cloud-based platform are designed to help customers cut through the three major obstacles to delivering premium D2C services: streaming broadcast-quality live programs cost-effectively and at scale; the scourge of streaming piracy; and the desire to build a sustainable, profitable business faster. With live streaming, every second counts. Synamedia’s video network technologies deliver close to broadcast-equivalent latency and quality for live streaming. With its glass-to-glass portfolio, Synamedia is continually refining its technologies to reduce latencies at every stage of the workflow – and meet the industry goal of synchronized latency across broadcast and streamed content.
Synamedia also supports D2C operators’ efforts to control streaming costs. The firm’s Smart Rate Control encoding algorithms minimize bandwidth requirements, while its private CDN platform gives customers the option of reducing, or removing entirely, their dependency on more expensive third-party public CDNs. Synamedia also offers on-premise, public cloud and hybrid deployments to realize the benefits of cloud elasticity while being able to adapt to specific deployment, operational and cost constraints.
Also integral to Synamedia’s D2C offering are market-leading security solutions and services that preserve the value of premium content rights and prevent revenue decimation. These include: the Streaming Piracy Disruption managed service; the world-leading Operational Security (OpSec) service; and Credentials Sharing Insight.
Synamedia’s Infinite platform, which already underpins direct-to-consumer OTT services from major pay-TV customers, provides a frictionless path for D2C providers upgrading first-generation solutions, as well as supporting new market entrants. It allows customers to quickly launch, scale and monetize D2C services cost-effectively across borders, accelerating the time to profitability. Infinite supports advanced cloud-based content aggregation and search and recommendations for a highly personalized user experience. It also allows service providers to operate multiple franchise and brands, making it easy to give each service its own distinct look and feel while benefiting from the economies of scale and operational efficiencies of a single platform.
“The D2C streaming market is in a massive state of flux. Big names are entering the fray, intensifying competition for eyeballs. And premium live streaming services are growing in importance, inevitably attracting the attention of pirates set on stealing these assets. There is also financial pressure to nurture profitable streaming business models that have longevity. At IBC we will showcase how we can help customers build a profitable streaming business that scales effortlessly across borders and devices – and will outlast the competition,” said Jean-Marc Racine, chief product officer, Synamedia.
Synamedia is one of the anchor exhibitors in the Content Everywhere hall (hall 14, stand C.41).
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.
