iWorld
META11 unveils AI-powered free cricket fantasy gaming platform
Mumbai: In the heart of the cricket-loving subcontinent, a gaming revolution has begun. Behaviol Pty Ltd is thrilled to announce the successful launch of META11 Fantasy (beta), the world’s first free-to-play, AI-powered, cricket Fantasy game.
On launch day, an impressive 31,000 users flooded the META11 site to be part of the free-to-play launch tournament. Notably, the lion’s share from India, META11’s target demographic, as well as a significant turnout from Bangladesh and Pakistan as well as other regions around the world.
An immersive gaming experience never seen before
This was no ordinary game. META11’s AI athletes, powered by advanced AI models such as reinforcement learning, played live throughout the 24-hour tournament. They weren’t simply following a script, nor was the platform displaying simulations of these athletes but each of the five AI digital cricketers on the day were learning and strategising in real-time. Moreover, the overwhelming popularity of the game saw that the event was extended by a further two hours, allowing users to collect points to work their way up the leaderboard!
The gaming experience offered a genuine immersive twist. Users entering the Free to Play tournament weren’t passive viewers; they engaged with the live matches by making predictions, testing their cricketing knowledge, and deep diving into the META11 universe with the resident AI quizmaster, QBOT – a part of the rich story world being built by the Behaviol team.
The tournament crescendoed into an incredible climax. An epic duel between Virat Singh and the tournament champion, Usman Khan, left fans on the edge of their seats. The nail-biting final match saw both players outwit each other in the first draw in the 26-hour tournament (both players out on a duck!) with a game that will be remembered for ages.
Participants of the tournament were unanimous in their praise. The overarching sentiment? META11 is a trailblazer and represents the vanguard of sports entertainment. The winners’ dedication was evident, with the top three on the leaderboard playing almost every match throughout the tournament. The game’s allure was undeniable; over 14,000 users scored points by making predictions on matches and successfully made it onto the META11 leaderboard during the 24-hour tournament.
The Bright Future of Sports Entertainment Embracing Emerging Technology.
The team is already gearing up for the next big event – a face-off between the Super Four, culminating in a Grand Finale. Drawing from an eye-popping $100,000 Prize Pool on the line, the excitement is palpable.
Behaviol co-founder Kumar Sangakkara shared his vision, stating, “For too long, fans have had to pay to participate in their favourite sports and cricket is no exception. When we founded Behaviol Pty Ltd, our vision was to create an immersive experience where fans are rewarded for the time they spend enjoying the sport.”
Behaviol’s CEO Krishan Deegalla added, “Through META11 Fantasy and future iterations of the META11 ecosystem, our mission is to redefine online gaming boundaries. We believe in technology’s power to bring people together, ignite creativity, and foster a sense of community.”
META11 Fantasy isn’t just another game. It offers an immersive experience straddling the real and digital worlds. Free to play and win, it marks the evolution of online fantasy gaming.
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.
