iWorld
Jio Studios & producer Mahaveer Jain launch Newcomers to encourage new talent
Mumbai: At Ficci Frames Fast Track 2022, Jio Studios along with producer Mahaveer Jain, launched an initiative, Newcomers.
A consortium of 23 leading Indian filmmakers like Rajkumar Hirani, Rohit Shetty, Sukumar, Ashutosh Gowariker, Kabir Khan, Imtiaz Ali, Gauri Shinde and R. Balki, Aanand L Rai, Anees Bazmee, A.R.Murugadoss, Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari and Nitish Tiwari, Ram Madhvani, Ali Abbas Zafar, Siddharth Anand, Raj & DK, Abhishek Sharma, Mrighdeep Singh Lamba, Amit Sharma, Jagan Shakti, Vishnuvardhan has been formed. They will mentor and launch new talent.
On Twitter Jio Studios said, “A special announcement today at @FICCIFRAMES 22!
23 Leading Filmmakers of the Country have come together to Mentor & Launch New Talent under a unique initiative called #Newcomers.”
A special announcement today at @FICCIFRAMES 22!
23 Leading Filmmakers of the Country have come together to Mentor & Launch New Talent under a unique initiative called #NEWCOMERS
Presented by @jiostudios, #JyotiDeshpande & #MahaveerJain#NEWCOMERS pic.twitter.com/6dASNhekHY— Jio Studios (@jiostudios) September 28, 2022
“It’s our humble attempt to give back to the industry, by providing a platform to new actors, writers, directors, music talent and a wide range of technicians in this landscape. Together, we will work to build our tomorrow,” said Mahaveer. He conceived this idea along with Ficci media and entertainment committee chairperson & Viacom 18 CEO Jyoti Deshpande.
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.
