KT, a major telecommunications network operator in South Korea, took an unconventional approach to combat online piracy by hacking 600,000 of its customers’ devices and infecting them with malware. The malware was designed to interfere with BitTorrent traffic, a popular method for peer-to-peer file sharing. This intervention began in May 2020 and led to various issues for users, including unexplained errors, strange file behavior, and disabled software.
The problems primarily affected KT subscribers who used “Web Hard Drive” services, a cloud storage solution prevalent in South Korea. The malware was intended to target and disrupt BitTorrent-enabled “Grid System” technology, which allows users to bypass centralized infrastructure and increase network load. This move was seen as a financial strategy to reduce the strain on KT’s network and compel users to rely on centralized services.
The interference with customers’ devices drew significant attention and led to an investigation by the Gyeonggi Southern Police Agency. The agency is examining whether KT violated the Communications Secrets Protection Act and the Information and Communications Network Act. The investigation revealed that KT’s actions might have involved eavesdropping on subscribers and manipulating their network activity.
The controversy surrounding KT’s actions has resulted in legal repercussions, including the referral of 13 KT employees and partners for prosecution. Additionally, KT’s CEO resigned amid the ongoing scrutiny. The case highlights broader issues of privacy, network management, and the balance between combating piracy and respecting user rights.
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