iWorld
Ola Play launched for in-cab entertainment that includes Sony LIV
BENGALURU: Ola, Indian mobile app for transportation, launched a global first in Bengaluru today. The cab aggregator announced the immediate availability of ‘Ola Play’ for its ‘Ola Select’ customers in the National Capital Region, Mumbai and Bengaluru to be followed by a national rollout by March 2017 in 50,000 vehicles across all the cities in India that Ola operates in. For Ola Prime users Ola Play services will be offered without any additional cost over and above the cab ride cost informed Ola co-founder and CEO Bhavish Aggarwal. Use what you want…
Besides offering the highly personalised experience for users during their rides, Ola Play allows various partners like Apple Music, Sony LIV, Audio Compass and Fynd to build experiences for users. And yes, one can control the air-conditioning and the radio with Ola Play.
Aggarwal said, “I believe that this will completely transform the consumer’s ride experience, giving the user the power to control the interactions within the car and usher in a new era in the ridesharing industry. With over 60 million (6 crore) minutes spent in Ola rides every day, the impact on consumer comfort, convenience and productivity can be transformative. This will further propel ridesharing as the first choice of mobility for many more millions. Ola Play is a world first, built in India by an Indian team, which showcases that we can do better than the best in the world and be global leaders in technology and innovation.”
Sony Pictures Networks India Private Limited EVP and Head – Digital New Media Uday Sodhi said, “With Ola Play, we are offering unique content that is tailored to the needs and preferences of viewers on the move. As a brand Sony LIV is the first premium video on demand (VOD) service providing multi-screen experience to users on all devices; and is the first amongst the competition to provide exclusive premium content. Our association with Ola Play will allow us to further customise popular shows, movies and more, for Indians to consume in a highly engaged way, while on the move.”
Ola Play is a connected car platform for ride sharing that Ola says will transform the in-car experience for users on the go. The platform, built in partnership with Qualcomm is powered by proprietary in-cloud technologies from Ola, by bringing advance car controls, choice of personalised content and a fully connected interactive experience for the user. Ola Play transfers the control of the in-car experience to users from the Driver Console, which enables seamless interfacing with the consumer’s device once the ride begins. Ola Play can be accessed by the consumers own device or the large scree mounted in-car along with the car’s surround sound system.
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.
