iWorld
nexGTV launches ‘SPOTLight’ with Imtiaz Ali for content creators
NEW DELHI: Subscription-driven video entertainment mobile app nexGTV has partnered director Imtiaz Ali for a project called SPOTLight, wherein users can develop original short videos across a variety of genres.
As per nexGTV, almost 80 per cent of its initial investment has been pumped into marketing the new programme.
NexGTV COO Abhesh Verma told Indiantelevision.com that the publicity and marketing will initially be through bloggers and on social media, which will be used to invite entries but would gradually spread to television, radio spots and then hoardings.
Users can develop original short videos across genres like horror, satire, drama, social, poetry, comedy original music, fiction and reality. NexGTV will carry selected videos under SPOTLight on its ‘TV on mobile’ platform.
The popularity of page views will determine the top five videos, which will then be adjudged by Ali every month. One video will be selected for the grand prize of Rs 1 lakh. A second prize of Rs 25,000 will be given to encourage participants to make his or her next video.
Each of the people who send in videos will be entitled to 11 paise per view after they cross 3000 page views.
When asked about sponsorships, Verma said nexGTV already had the base with the large of number of screen partnerships and more than 100 advertisers. “Each contribution can be of 200 megabytes, which roughly worked out to 10 minutes,” he said.
Calling nexGTV an enabler, he said that if someone who had made a video and sent it to another platform, could still send it to SPOTlight.
With the launch of 4G services in India, Verma was of the opinion that the whole scenario was changing with 4G where a part of the cost could be subsidised and in any case the costs will go down and penetration increase.
For participation in SPOTlight, participants will have to download the nexGTV app and also abide by other guidelines.
Verma said, “SPOTlight means centre stage, and that is exactly what we are looking to offer those bitten by the creative bug. By bringing someone of Imtiaz’s class and calibre, we are offering a unique chance to not just independent video content creators but to everybody to discover and showcase their talent in order to get it judged by a master of the craft. The cash prize is meant as an incentive to encourage the aspiring video content creators to channel their creativity and further innovate.”
Ali added, “India, today, is brimming with talented individuals just looking for ways to express themselves through their creativity. ‘SPOTLight’ gives them the perfect stage to channel their genius to create something that resonates with the public. I am glad to be involved in such a wonderful initiative and will look forward to seeing the best entries.”
He said he had also begun as a struggler but knew he wanted to be a director. This was one reason he agreed to come on to this platform. Ali’s aim will be to see the originality in the talent of the five videos that are shortlisted. In other words, he will look at the videos as a director.
The app, which has a growing library of movies, TV shows and videos on demand, has now commissioned content that will be exclusive to nexGTV.
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.
