iWorld
Planet Marathi OTT secures $5M investment from A & MA Capital USA
Mumbai: After three years of operations, Planet Marathi OTT has announced a significant investment from a prominent USA-based private equity firm, A & MA Capital USA. The initial investment, totalling approximately $5 million, is expected to increase over the next two quarters. This transaction marks one of the largest investments in the regional Indian entertainment sector to date.
Commenting on the investment, Planet Marathi OTT founder Akshay Bardapurkar stated “We are committed to growing the Indian regional entertainment space and with this significant investment we are prepared to bolster our offerings and content slate. As a company we stay dedicated to bringing the best quality entertainment on OTT and with our new partners we will take this dedication to newer heights”.
In addition to the private equity investment, Dcafe, a globally renowned media-tech company, has also entered into a strategic agreement with Planet Marathi OTT, further strengthening its technological capabilities.
“Partnership with Dcafe platform represents a significant milestone for us, solidifying our position in the tech-driven entertainment landscape,” Bardapurkar added.
Planet Marathi OTT continues to pioneer in the Marathi entertainment industry, leveraging these strategic investments to bolster its content library and technological infrastructure.
Established with a vision to expand the horizons of Marathi OTT and provide an exclusive platform for industry talent and stories on a global stage, Planet Marathi OTT has consistently delivered content that pushes boundaries and captures audience imaginations. Boasting a diverse array of genres including romance, comedy, family drama, politics, crime, thriller, and satire, the platform has redefined the landscape of Marathi content in the digital sphere. It is home to national award winning content like Goshta Eka Paithanichi and most watched web series Raanbaazaar.
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.
