iWorld
Esports team GodLike Esports collaborates with blockchain-based fan engagement startup Stan
Mumbai: Esports organisation GodLike Esports has entered into a strategic agreement with Bengaluru-headquartered esports fan engagement startup Stan. This will enable them to provide officially licensed non-NFT digital collectibles for GodLike BGMI team’s fans and followers, among other services and rewards.
The key objective of the partnership between Stan and GodLike, which was facilitated by Numen Esports and Gaming, is to build an ecosystem for fans in order to connect with them actively and unlock new experiences for the fan base.
Following this partnership, Stan shall be giving access to GodLike fans to chat, play and even meet GodLike team members; furthermore, Stan users will also have a chance to visit GodLike’s Bootcamp, India’s largest gaming/esports facility.
Among the key players of Godlike Esports BGMI team with whom Stan has collaborated include: Chetan ‘Kronten’ Chandgude, Abhijit ‘Ghatak’ Andhare, Jonathan ‘Jonathan’ Amaral, Vivek ‘ClutchGod’ Abbas, Abhishek ‘ZGOD’ Choudhary and Suraj ‘Neyoo’ Mujumdar.
In addition, they have also collaborated with an influencer and an ex-professional player Kronten, GodLike owner, founder and director Abhijit ‘Ghatak’ Andhare (also an influencer and an ex-professional player).
Speaking on the partnership with GodLike, Stan co-founder and COO Nauman Mulla said, “Entering into a strategic partnership with the biggest organisation in India, GodLike Esports, was a no brainer for us at Stan, as want to give access to all the GodLike superfans, all of that Stan is offering. We aim to work with all the major stakeholders in this esports ecosystem, which is why we are very excited about this partnership. We intend to empower fans and connect them with their favourite esports athletes and creators; and to that end, now Stan users will be able to play a game, chat, make a live call, and meet GodLike members. We are proud to announce that Stan is the only platform today giving access to GodLike fans to meet, chat, play and also visit their gaming facility, and no other application or company are offering these services.”
Kronten said, “We are excited to partner with a brand as visionary and groundbreaking as Stan. Physical collectibles and memorabilia have been a part of sporting culture across the globe for so long and converting these to digital tokens using advanced technology will revolutionise fan engagement. All of us at GodLike are looking forward to engaging with our fans and community through Stan.”
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.
