iWorld
Global Standards Symposium 2024 concludes, paving way for digital progress
Mumbai: The fifth Global Standards Symposium (GSS-24) wraps up in New Delhi, making history as the first time the event has been held in the Asia-Pacific region. Organised by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and hosted by the Department of Telecommunications, Government of India, GSS-24 gathers a record 1,500 policymakers, innovators, and experts to chart the future of digital transformation. The event emphasises the critical role of international standards in enabling emerging technologies to drive sustainable global development.
Minister of state for communications and rural development, Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani delivers a closing address lauding India’s transformation under prime minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. “The standards we establish are more than just technical standards, but they are moral compasses, guiding us towards a future of shared global progress. India is ready to take this journey not alone, but with all of you as partners,” Pemmasani states, advocating for an inclusive, democratic approach to international standards.
The symposium’s theme, “Charting the Next Digital Wave: Emerging Technologies, Innovation, and International Standards,” highlights the need for cohesive, forward-looking governance and standardisation in digital technologies. It serves as a platform for high-level dialogues on crucial issues like AI governance, open-source technologies, blockchain-based authentication, and the impact of AI and the Metaverse on public services.
Union minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia underscores India’s role as a global telecommunications and digital innovation hub. He describes India as “a land of science, innovation, and rules aiding in the prosperity of the world.”
The key discussions focus on bridging the standards gap between developed and developing countries, emphasising equitable access to technology for all. The AI Standards Summit, held as part of GSS-24, illustrates how consensus-based standards can ignite innovation across multiple sectors, driving technological advancements.
Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DoT), CEO, Rajkumar Upadhyay chairs the symposium, marking India’s first time leading the event. The symposium’s outcome document lays the groundwork for discussions at the World Telecommunication Standardisation Assembly (WTSA-24), taking place from 15-24 October 2024, in New Delhi.
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.
