Korea Telecom (KT), a major South Korean telco, has been implicated in a deliberate malware campaign aimed at curbing P2P usage. KT's dedicated division reportedly engineered malware designed to sabotage P2P activities. Beginning in May 2020, this campaign impacted approximately 600,000 users. The malware interfered with file downloads, manipulated system directories, and in severe cases, incapacitated systems.

The operation breached several legal frameworks, including the Communications Secrets Protection Act (CSPA) and the Information and Communications Network Act (ICNA). This led to the CEO's resignation and the prosecution of 13 individuals. The incident not only raises serious ethical concerns but also highlights vulnerabilities in corporate governance and user data protection practices.

This case underscores the potential misuse of malware by corporate entities and the critical need for stringent oversight and ethical guidelines within the cybersecurity field. It serves as a cautionary tale about the broader implications of network control tactics and the essential role of ethical practices in safeguarding user trust and data integrity.

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