iWorld
ThuDo Multimedia welcomes Yeeshu Baijal as country director
MUMBAI: Two decades – long enough for a fledgling to become a master.
For Yeeshu Baijal, 20 years have been a journey of mastering the art of broadcast, shaping trends, and redefining industry standards.
Now, this seasoned leader steps into the spotlight as ThuDo Multimedia India appoints him as country director, entrusting him with the helm to steer their growth and innovation in the ever-evolving Indian OTT multimedia landscape.
Baijal’s extensive career includes significant roles at leading firms such as ABV International, where he served as sales head for SAARC countries. In this capacity, he was instrumental in driving business development and establishing strategic partnerships across the region. His leadership was pivotal in expanding ABV International’s footprint and enhancing its market presence.
Prior to his tenure at ABV International, Baijal held key positions at various organisations like TRIAX A/S regional manager; Viacom18 Media Pvt Ltd manager- network sales & development; Zee Turner Ltd area sales manager; Disney Star territory manager, contributing to their growth and success through his deep understanding of the broadcast and media landscape. His career trajectory reflects a consistent commitment to innovation and excellence in service delivery.
At ThuDo Multimedia India, Baijal will oversee the deployment of Sigma OTT—a comprehensive solution designed to meet the diverse needs of broadcast and media operators worldwide. Sigma OTT’s suite of products addresses critical challenges, including content protection through Sigma DRM and revenue generation via Sigma Interactive, a value-added portal for broadcasters.
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.
