iWorld
Amuz Distribution makes FAST & OTT announcements
Mumbai: Amuz Distribution chief revenue & strategy officer Alex Avon announced deals for FAST and OTT channels. Carlos Pacheco who was recently hired is the director of monetisation & OTT and is overseeing the FAST/OTT division. He came from the Just for Laughs (JFL) Group, most of which assets were just acquired by Amuz Distribution. New platforms that will carry JFL programming are Amazon Fire TV, Anoki and Local Now.
Over the last two years, FAST channels of JFL programming have been in full expansion and by adding these new channels, the programs are now syndicated across 30 plus different platforms/markets (Samsung TV Plus, Roku, Xumo Play, Google TV, Rakuten TV, Sling TV and others). These FAST channels make Amuz Distribution one of the largest independent Canadian media companies with this high reach with FAST channels.
Avon stated, “Amuz Distribution is thrilled to announce more expansion of our company, especially with the Just For Laughs Group programs, now on many different platforms in several markets. This expansion helps our mission of “Keeping the world feeling good” with the best programming around on all platforms.”
Pacheco added, “We are excited about our new partnerships with Amazon Fire TV, Anoki and Local Now These new collaborations are going to our brands reach even more people around the world and share the laughs with new audiences.”
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.
