iWorld
Asian SVOD service: Star Online partners Xstream & Diagnal
MUMBAI: Xstream, a leading provider of OTT solutions, and Diagnal, Asia’s regional OTT specialists has announced that they are powering the new Video On Demand (VOD) service called dimsum. The VOD service is operated by Star Online, a subsidiary of the Star Media Group.
It is a subscription-based VOD service with exclusive Asian content prized at RM 15 (Rs 148.5) per month. The online High Definition (HD) video service offers five concurrent users on one single account, on five different devices.
While Xstream’s modular and cloud-based OTT Platform, Xstream MediaMaker, is the backbone of the new multiscreen VOD solution, Diagnal has custom designed and developed the dimsum website, Android apps, iOS apps including their video players.
“In Chinese, dimsum literally translates to ‘selection of the heart’ or ‘order to your heart’s content’ and this is exactly what we want to do for our audience with dimsum. Provide them with exclusive and compelling content with an easy user experience,” said dimsum chief marketing officer Lam Swee Kim. “By leveraging Xstream’s OTT platform and Diagnal’s remarkable industry knowledge, world class design and on time delivery focus, we have been able to launch dimsum in record time. Moreover the partnership has allowed us to focus on our core business – to serve premium and exclusive Asian content.”
The Star Media Group which is primarily a news and media organization has embarked on a second phase of its digital transformation plan with the launch of dimsum, its own online video on demand service. A part of the group’s plan is to stay ahead of the game and to reinvent its business.
“Working with Star Media Group on launching dimsum with very ambitious launch dates, has been tremendously rewarding. With dimsum, Star Online will now be able to create new revenue streams”, said Xstream CEO Laurits Tygesen. “We are excited and honored to work with one of the most innovative media companies in the Asia Pacific region and provide them with the tools to stay competitive and satisfy the growing appetite of today’s viewers. Joining forces with superb tech partners like Diagnal, also allows us to provide our customers with best in-class technology, in-depth knowledge and proven experience.”
With the launch of dimsum, Star is taking on the battle with global and regional VOD services that have launched in Malaysia in the last couple of years, with the difference being that dimsum focuses only on Asian content.
“As broadband speeds and smartphone penetration increases, we are seeing independent studios, media organisations and broadcasters across the Asia region reinventing their businesses with premium video streaming services. New entrants need to hit the ground running with a great service, then be ready to scale, to compete and to continue to innovate. We are very happy to see our latest customer Star Online launch dimsum successfully. It has been a great team effort between Star Online, Xstream and Diagnal. Diagnal has provided world class UIUX design for dimsum. Diagnal has also developed the dimsum apps and website including a fully featured video player supporting multiple DRM standards, multiple subtitles and multiple audio. Our team of seasoned OTT industry professionals has helped the dimsum service launch quickly and with high quality,” added Diagnal CEO Reuben Verghese.
Solution highlights
Dimsum is an exclusive subscription VOD service by Star Online, powered by Xstream MediaMaker, using AWS to deliver unparalleled performance and durability
A subscription based Video-on-Demand service with exclusive Asian content being the primary differentiator
For a monthly Subscription service (SVOD) consumers pay RM15 per month targeting young, connected and new age audiences.
Available across connected devices including Web, Android and iOS with more devices on the roadmap
Five concurrent users per account on five different devices
Parental control with Kids model
Dimsum will be screened in HD with no interruption or buffering
World class user experience with advanced video player features including multiple DRM, multiple audio languages and multiple subtitles.
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.
