iWorld
Josh and SVF Entertainment enter strategic alliance
Mumbai: Short video app Josh has inked a strategic partnership with East Indian media and entertainment company SVF. The collaboration paves the way for the creation of short video content from Bengali influencers and celebrities on the Josh app, said the statement.
SVF will enable the production of more regional content by Bengali talent on the short video app Josh with the aim to empower regional creators. SVF will additionally extend its vast Bengali music library of SVF Music ranging from Bengali films, web series, and hit singles from popular artists from India and Bangladesh. This wide range of songs can be accessed by Josh’s 115+ million-strong user base.
The partnership was announced on the eve of 25 October and was graced by hoichoi co-founder and executive director of SVF Vishnu Mohta; Josh head – creator and content ecosystem Sunder Venketraman, and VerSe Innovation chief marketing officer Samir Vora.
“Josh and SVF, with the similar intention to create a wider content building ambiance in Bengal, is certain that this partnership will enable a lot of talents to create short format content in their regional language with advanced and easy to use video making features,” said Vishnu Mohta.
“We at SVF, are delighted to have this avant-garde partnership that will not only enhance the scope of content innovation but also recognise the local talents, thereby supporting the overall growth of the industry,” said hoichoi co-founder and director of SVF Mahendra Soni. “The SVF-Josh tie-up is all poised to make Bengali music library available to all creators across the country, opening up the paradigm beyond mainstream content visibility.”
“SVF Entertainment is a leader in the Eastern Indian content space and we, at Josh are very excited to have brought this partnership to life that will revolutionise the space of content creation in Bengali language,” said Sunder Venketraman and Samir Vora.
“We believe that our app will prove to be the perfect destination for budding Bengali creators to share their talent across audiences– bringing visibility to themselves and the plethora of invigorating content that Eastern India has to offer,” they added.
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.
