iWorld
Shark Tank India 3 soars to success with a remarkable 20 per cent increase in new users
Mumbai: In the exhilarating third season of Shark Tank India, innovation meets ambition as entrepreneurs from across the country pitch their groundbreaking ideas to an illustrious panel of 12 Sharks. With each passing episode, the reception has been nothing short of overwhelming, piquing the curiosity of audiences and investors alike. This season has seen an exceptional growth of 20 per cent increase in new users, and notably, 37 per cent increase in users who watched on CTV.
In season 3, businesses like Pizza Galleria and Conscious Chemist have seen remarkable growth following their appearances on Shark Tank India. Pizza Galleria experienced a four-times surge in sales and a 20 times spike in web traffic, with over 1000 franchise inquiries. Conscious Chemist saw a four-times increase in revenue and a five times increase in website visitors. Tiggle and Koparo also achieved significant growth, with Tiggle’s sales increasing six times and website traffic five times, and Koparo’s sales growing six times and website traffic 10 times.
Season three has received support from influential brands, strengthening its impact. ACKO has come on board as a co-presenting partner, maintaining a steadfast three-year alliance. PokerBaazi also continues the association stepping up as the co-presenting sponsor, enriching the Shark Tank India 3 experience with their engaging segment, Baazigar of the Day, expertly hosted by the witty Rahul Dua. This light-hearted addition brings a dose of fun and camaraderie into the high-stakes atmosphere of the show, allowing pitchers to unwind, showcase their personalities, and even bag exciting prizes along the way. The show is co-powered by upGrad, IDFC First Bank has come on board as the Banking partner, and ICICI Direct, Unicharm’s Sofy Feminine Care brand along with Sensodyne have joined as partner sponsors, enriching the show’s network of pivotal partnerships.
Sony LIV head ad revenue Ranjana Mangla:
Shark Tank India has led to a positive change within the society by promoting entrepreneurship, fostering innovation, and empowering individuals to achieve their dreams. This season has seen more than 50 Cr of investment across 54 deals by the sharks so far, with businesses from Personal Care & Fashion, Technology and Food & Beverages getting most of the investment share. The show’s Impact has been such that many Startups after appearing on the show have seen massive growth in the sales and website traffics showcasing the immense potential of the show on the start-up ecosystem. This makes the show a great opportunity for brands as well.
Baazi Games (parent group of Pokerbaazi) founder and CEO Navkiran Singh:
Over the years, we have realized that the skills of a competent entrepreneur always make him win in any situation, Shark Tank India is all about making the right decisions under pressure, constantly analyzing the market opportunities with the perseverance to excel in the game, and this alignment makes our partnership with Shark Tank a natural fit.
Tune in to Shark Tank India 3 streaming on Sony LIV, Monday to Friday at 10 pm.
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.
