iWorld
Kuku FM partners with HubHopper; adds 21,000 new shows to its library
MUMBAI: If you are an audiophile and you prefer listening to podcasts and shows rather than holidaying and partying, then come 1 January 2025, you should grab your headset and your phone and lean back and sign into KukuFM.
The audio hosting and distribution platform has partnered with another audio platform HubHopper and is offering its three million subscribers the latter’s 21,000 new shows across 30,000 plus hours of premium content at no extra cost (in a dedicated section featuring the new shows).
A press release issued by Kuku FM mentions that this integration means its library rivals even leading OTTs operating in India and is the largest audio catalogue in the country.
Listeners can chose from spirituality (Sadhguru, Osho and Jay Alani) to fiction to history to business in various languages including English, Arabic, Hindi, Tamil Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam. Shows from NDTV are also available on the platform.
Kuku FM co-founder Lal Chand Bisu pointed out that Indians prefer getting unmatched value for the money they are spending. He added: “As our revenues doubled last year, driven by subscriptions, we’re poised to continue this momentum into 2025 with this enriched offering. By adding the shows, we’re not just growing our library but building a platform that resonates with diverse audiences—from native speakers across India to Indians abroad seeking high-quality content in their languages. This collaboration elevates our reach and engagement to new heights.”
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.
