iWorld
Dekkho to identify non-production house talent, plans four web series in Sept-Oct
MUMBAI: Dekkho will largely focus on youth-based videos and regional content across six languages, primarily serving the 18-30 year old mobile audience.
The online video streaming platform has announced plans to establish itself as the destination for talent discovery in India and showcase premium content from non-production house talent. Having collaborated with 80+ creators to curate premium videos across genres such as food, fashion, travel, lifestyle, comedy and gossip, the platform is now gearing up to run multiple digital promotions and events to identify emerging talent and get them on board over the next three to four quarters.
The platform will also mark its foray into original content co-creation with four branded video properties, lined up for September-October period, in the form of web series, music videos, and short-form videos.
Dekkho’s latest move is aimed at tapping into the unscripted and independent creator market, which comprises around 80 per cent of the overall production volume of online entertainment.
As part of its marketing strategy, Dekkho has tied up with leading telecom operators and original phone equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to offer greater exposure to content developed by independent creators. The platform has additionally collaborated with partners like Amazon Fire TV.
Co-founder Tanay Desai said, “Viewers today want more of short, snackable content that independent creators like AIB or Miss Malini produce. Our aim now is to create visibility through a bunch of exciting developments like localising our UI, promoting offline viewing and building for low data consumption. We are focused on Tier II, Tier III consumers who constitute the masses, and provide them a focused, curated experience that is missing on YouTube and Facebook.”
“Dekkho,” he said, “will primarily host creators who are not associated with a label or production house. This initiative is synergistic with that vision, and will help us in discovering exciting talent from across the country to provide our viewers with premium content across age groups, geographies, and languages.”
Says he: “Not only are we providing them with global exposure and monetisation opportunities through our advertising network and brand integrations, but this is the first time their ongoing content will be represented on a big screen format via our partnerships.”
Dekkho aims at realising its target of reaching five million monthly active users within the next year and have 200 channels on board.
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.
