Reality shows: Hackers too 'vote'

MUMBAI/NEW DELHI, INDIA: When actor Salman Khan announced the results of a popular reality show Nach Baliye on Saturday last week, it left the runners-up Rakhi Sawant and her partner Abhishek fuming. 

With the actress requesting Oshiwara Police in Mumbai to play ‘Santa’ for her, certain issues have come to the fore.

Sawant has filed a case against the reality show and her accusations included tampering with the SMS votes that decided the fate of the contestants. 

Bogus votes

CyberMedia News found out that reality shows provide ample opportunity for some to make money from behind the scenes.

“These shows provide ample opportunity for us to make quick money as we develop software which can breed numerous SMS and generates several bogus votes in a short span of time. These are priced anywhere from Rs. 15,000 and can go upto a few lakhs,” a Mumbai-based hacker said on condition of anonymity. 

To generate close to seven lakh votes, Rs. 1, 00,000 needs to be spent. These hackers thrive by reworking the existing software (which facilitates the sending of SMSes) that is easily accessible over the Web.

He also mentioned that the social networking sites that have mushroomed in the last over 12 months has given him a platform to build acquaintances, which come quite handy in getting newer assignments.

This racket is operational in places namely Malad, Lokhandwala and Oshiwara of Mumbai, aided by a host of personal computers and laptops. 

Tampering with SMSes

Vijay Shekhar Sharma, managing director of One97, a VAS provider for telcos, said it is possible to tamper with SMSes. “There are multiple ways available to send bulk SMSes for a single contestant. The number of SMS can be increased by the TV channel, the contestant and also the third party source involved with it.” 

This exercise could be carried out from a computer that is connected with a mobile device, where an individual is able to send bulk messages to a single participant.

"In one occasion we are approached by a celebrity participating in a TV show to send bulk SMSes with the keyword. The individual offered to pay an addition amount on each SMS. However, we denied the offer but the contestant won the show through votes," Sharma added.

Pratapa Bernard, marketing head, products, OnMobile agreed that votes for reality shows can be manipulated. There are automated applications available, which can send multiple SMSes at the same time, but it should be accompanied with a valid mobile number.

“The SMS could originate from a program like the messenger other than the mobile phone, but it should be accompanied by a valid mobile number or it will be rejected," Bernard said. 

Viewers want to know more

Telecom operators such as Airtel, Vodafone refused to comment on the Rakhi Sawant issue. Police said they are keeping a keen eye on the developments and outcome of the proceedings.

“At this point of time, we are waiting for an outcome and can’t comment,” a police officer said. Rakhi Sawant and her secretary did respond to repeated attempts to reach them over the phone.

Even as this brouhaha over Nach Baliye reaches a feverish pitch, the viewers want to know more. They are understandably upset and are voicing their concern.

Arati Raval, senior manager at a Mumbai-based media company was upset for the way this issue has been blown up: “I would feel cheated of my vote, which costs me six rupees.”

She added, “Participants can promote themselves, I have no issues with that but the channel should ensure transparency in the voting process and they should allow only a certain fixed number of messages per cell number, which I think some shows already do. If the participants tinker with votes like this, what is that remains in a 'reality' show?” 

An ominous task awaits the police as the hackers are a skilled lot but the men in uniform have a trick or two up their sleeve to send their opponents offline.

Whilst the police continues to investigate on what transpired behind the scenes, many would have already begun doubting: Are these reality shows for real? 

© CyberMedia News