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Meta Targets ‘Cyber Mercenaries’ Using Facebook to Spy on Activists, Journalists Globally

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3 years ago

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Meta Targets ‘Cyber Mercenaries’ Using Facebook to Spy on Activists, Journalists Globally

Facebook’s parent company Meta banned a series of “online mercenary” organizations on Thursday and began to alert about 50,000 people who may be the target of companies accused of spying on global activists, dissidents, and journalists.

Meta deleted 1,500 Facebook and Instagram pages associated with the group. The services of these pages allegedly ranged from obtaining public information online to using false characters to establish trust with targets or conducting digital snooping through hacking attacks.

The social media giant also began to warn about 50,000 people that it believes it may have become a target in more than 100 countries, including several companies from Israel, which is a leading company in the network surveillance business. “Meta’s head of security policy, Nathaniel Gleicher, said at a press conference.

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Facebook’s parent company stated that it deleted accounts associated with Cobwebs Technologies, Cognyte, Black Cube and Bluehawk CI-all of which were established in or in Israel.

India-based BellTroX, North Macedonian company Cytrox and an unidentified entity in China have also seen accounts associated with them removed from the Meta platform. “These cyber mercenaries often claim that their services are only aimed at criminals and terrorists,” the Meta statement said.

It added: “The targets are actually indiscriminate, including journalists, dissidents, critics of dictatorships, families of opposition members, and human rights activists.” “We have banned them from using our services.”

In a statement to Agence France-Presse, Black Cube denied wrongdoing and even denied conducting business in the “online world.”

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“Black Cube works with the world’s leading law firms to prove bribery, expose corruption and recover hundreds of millions of stolen assets,” it said, adding that the company ensures compliance with local laws.

Companies that sell “network intelligence services” start the surveillance process by collecting information from publicly available online sources such as news reports and Wikipedia.

Meta investigators said that online mercenaries then set up fake accounts on social media sites to collect information from people’s personal data and even join groups or conversations to learn more.

Another strategy is to win the trust of the target on social networks, then trick the person to click on a link or file with a booby trap, install software, and then steal information from any device they use to surf the Internet. Through this kind of access, according to the Meta team, mercenaries can steal data from the target’s cell phone or computer, and silently activate microphones, cameras, and tracking.

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Meta reports that one of the target companies, Bluehawk, sells a wide range of surveillance activities, including managing fake accounts to install malicious code.

Complete News Source : Gadgets360

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$92.8 million

Akshay Kumar wishes director Priyadarshan on birthday with Bhooth Bangla BTS pic: ‘Surrounded by ghosts…

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3 weeks ago

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January 30, 2025

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Akshay Kumar wishes director Priyadarshan on birthday with Bhooth Bangla BTS pic: ‘Surrounded by ghosts…

Akshay Kumar and Priyadarshan, the acclaimed Indian director, celebrated their 68th birthday on Instagram. Kumar, who has worked with Priyadarshan on several cult comedies of the early 2000s, wished him a happy birthday and called him a mentor. The duo is now back together for their upcoming horror-comedy, Bhooth Bangla.

The first poster of the movie has been released, and it is expected to hit theaters in 2025. Akshay Kumar wore a black fedora and a green jacket, layered over a black tee, and fans have expressed their excitement for their new movie.

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The duo’s dynamic and deep bonding have been praised by fans, who have expressed high anticipation for their new movie. The first poster of Bhooth Bangla has already been released, and the movie is expected to hit theaters in 2025.

Akshay Kumar, the versatile Bollywood actor, recently celebrated director Priyadarshan’s birthday by sharing a behind-the-scenes (BTS) photograph from their upcoming film, “Bhooth Bangla.” In the image, Akshay humorously captioned, “Surrounded by ghosts…” The photo features Akshay alongside Priyadarshan and co-actor Paresh Rawal, all dressed in traditional attire, with a black cat perched on Akshay’s shoulder, adding a whimsical touch to the scene.

Reunion After 14 Years

This collaboration marks a significant reunion between Akshay Kumar and Priyadarshan, who last worked together on the film “Bhool Bhulaiyaa” in 2007. Their partnership has been celebrated in the past for delivering successful comedies like “Hera Pheri” and “Garam Masala.” Fans have eagerly anticipated their return to the big screen together, and “Bhooth Bangla” promises to be a delightful addition to their repertoire.

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About ‘Bhooth Bangla’

“Bhooth Bangla” is a horror-comedy that blends elements of suspense with humor, a genre in which both Akshay Kumar and Priyadarshan have excelled. The film is produced by Balaji Telefilms Ltd in association with Cape of Good Films. The motion poster released earlier this year features Akshay Kumar in a suit, with a cat on his shoulder, licking milk slyly, setting the tone for the film’s intriguing and humorous premise.

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Anticipation and Fan Reactions

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The BTS photo shared by Akshay Kumar has generated excitement among fans, who are eager to see the trio back together on screen. The playful caption and the presence of the black cat suggest that “Bhooth Bangla” will offer a mix of thrills and laughs, staying true to the successful formula of their previous collaborations.

As the release date for “Bhooth Bangla be a significant highlight in the upcoming entertainment lineup. The reunion of Akshay Kumar, Priyadarshan, and Paresh Rawal, combined with the intriguing premise and the playful BTS moments, has set high expectations among audiences. Fans can look forward to a cinematic experience that promises both chills and chuckles.

For a visual glimpse into the making of “Bhooth Bangla,” you can watch the following video Akshay Kumar expressed his gratitude as they once again united for their upcoming movie Bhooth Bangla. This marks a new chapter in their long-standing collaboration since the 2000s. He shared a picture from behind the scenes of their new movie, where it seems like they are laughing about something.

Akshay wrote,”Happy Birthday, Priyan Sir! What better way to celebrate than by spending the day on a haunted set, surrounded by ghosts…both real and unpaid extras? Thank you for being a mentor, and the only person who can make chaos look like a masterpiece. May your day be filled with fewer retakes. Wishing you a fantastic year ahead!”

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