iWorld
Netflix & Gobelins expect big things from young Indian brains in animation industry
NEW DELHI : Animation and visual effects have become an integral part of storytelling in films, and it is practically impossible to think about a movie without special effects and computer graphics. In an attempt to find and nurture young Indian brains in the animation industry, OTT giant Netflix, in association with Gobelins and Amity School of Film and Drama conducted a 'visual storytelling' animation course from 15 to 19 March 2021.
The animation course helped participants to understand the art of storytelling using images, and the program indicated that India is soon going to become the powerhouse of the animation and VFX industry in the future.
Most participants in the course were graduates and teachers from famed animation schools in the country.
During the session, students were introduced to storyboarding and animation principles. Some of the activities included sessions on animation principles, storytelling fundamentals, character design, storyboards, and gesture design. There were guest lectures by expert animation studio heads including Guillaume Dousse (Sun Creature) and Anish Mulani (Fractal Picture). The group also heard from Green Gold Animation founder Rajiv Chilaka, who created Netflix’s beloved preschool hit series Mighty Little Bheem.
Students also received personalised coaching from faculty, helping them develop personal projects for formats across film, television, and animation. As OTT giants like Netflix and institutions like Gobelins L'école de L'image are concentrating on India to pick impeccable talents, experts believe that it could celebrate India’s storytelling culture and help bring more of it to the world.
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.
