Every day, the country is exposed to 5 million cyber attacks.
Democratic Taiwan has defied a wave of devastating cyberattacks and powerful disinformation campaigns emanating from neighboring China. Beijing uses hidden methods of pressure, seeking to annex the country under the rule of the communist regime.
According to senior officials, the state is exposed to approximately 5 million cyber attacks every day. The US company Fortinet has recorded that in the first half of 2023 , more than 50% of malware infections (including spyware) in the Asia-Pacific region occurred in Taiwan.
On the eve of the critical presidential election in January 2024, the intensity of cyber attacks has increased dramatically. The Ministry of Digital Affairs also reported on the widespread use of social engineering-a tactic of deceiving people to steal confidential data.
Of particular concern was the incident with the hacker group Earth Lusca, linked to the Chinese government. From December to January, they sent malicious files with the title "China's Gray War Zone against Taiwan" to Taiwanese government agencies, universities, and the media. The files were disguised as analytical materials and contained documents stolen from experts.
The attacks peaked 24 hours before the elections, which clearly indicates a desire to undermine their legitimacy. Taiwanese intelligence agencies believe that the Chinese Ministry of State Security is behind this.
The disinformation campaign also gained momentum in the run-up to the vote. A 300-page e-book titled "The Secret History of Tsai Ing-wen" slandered the incumbent president of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party was distributed on social networks. The authors of the document accused Tsai of immoral behavior and a desire for power, and also included insults to her mother in the text.
With the help of AI tools like ByteDance's Capcut, fake videos with the voices of well-known newsreaders were created and replicated. Other rumors related to the alleged illegitimate children of the Democratic Party candidate Lai Qing-te and the adultery of other politicians.
Although Lai did win, experts are concerned that such sophisticated campaigns can sway public opinion, provoke polarization, and ultimately weaken the country's democracy.
In response to the threat, Tsai Ing-wen said that cybersecurity is the same as national security. However, more serious measures are needed to counteract these challenges. Taiwan has already started developing its own satellite Internet network as an alternative to Elon Musk's Starlink. This will reduce the potential damage caused by possible interception or breakage of underwater Internet cables.
With the assistance of the American Institute, the Pentagon's cyber standards are being implemented on the island to increase the sustainability of local businesses. In January, a new anti-disinformation research center was established under the Ministry of Justice.
NGOs such as Doublethink Lab, Cofacts, and the Taiwan Factcheck Center monitor outside interference and verify facts in real time, helping society counter the flood of lies.
However, as technology advances, cyberthreats will only become more complex. Therefore, a comprehensive approach is needed: investments in cybersecurity, digital literacy, and responsible online behavior. Only collective vigilance and concerted action will enable Taiwan to defend its democratic values.
Democratic Taiwan has defied a wave of devastating cyberattacks and powerful disinformation campaigns emanating from neighboring China. Beijing uses hidden methods of pressure, seeking to annex the country under the rule of the communist regime.
According to senior officials, the state is exposed to approximately 5 million cyber attacks every day. The US company Fortinet has recorded that in the first half of 2023 , more than 50% of malware infections (including spyware) in the Asia-Pacific region occurred in Taiwan.
On the eve of the critical presidential election in January 2024, the intensity of cyber attacks has increased dramatically. The Ministry of Digital Affairs also reported on the widespread use of social engineering-a tactic of deceiving people to steal confidential data.
Of particular concern was the incident with the hacker group Earth Lusca, linked to the Chinese government. From December to January, they sent malicious files with the title "China's Gray War Zone against Taiwan" to Taiwanese government agencies, universities, and the media. The files were disguised as analytical materials and contained documents stolen from experts.
The attacks peaked 24 hours before the elections, which clearly indicates a desire to undermine their legitimacy. Taiwanese intelligence agencies believe that the Chinese Ministry of State Security is behind this.
The disinformation campaign also gained momentum in the run-up to the vote. A 300-page e-book titled "The Secret History of Tsai Ing-wen" slandered the incumbent president of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party was distributed on social networks. The authors of the document accused Tsai of immoral behavior and a desire for power, and also included insults to her mother in the text.
With the help of AI tools like ByteDance's Capcut, fake videos with the voices of well-known newsreaders were created and replicated. Other rumors related to the alleged illegitimate children of the Democratic Party candidate Lai Qing-te and the adultery of other politicians.
Although Lai did win, experts are concerned that such sophisticated campaigns can sway public opinion, provoke polarization, and ultimately weaken the country's democracy.
In response to the threat, Tsai Ing-wen said that cybersecurity is the same as national security. However, more serious measures are needed to counteract these challenges. Taiwan has already started developing its own satellite Internet network as an alternative to Elon Musk's Starlink. This will reduce the potential damage caused by possible interception or breakage of underwater Internet cables.
With the assistance of the American Institute, the Pentagon's cyber standards are being implemented on the island to increase the sustainability of local businesses. In January, a new anti-disinformation research center was established under the Ministry of Justice.
NGOs such as Doublethink Lab, Cofacts, and the Taiwan Factcheck Center monitor outside interference and verify facts in real time, helping society counter the flood of lies.
However, as technology advances, cyberthreats will only become more complex. Therefore, a comprehensive approach is needed: investments in cybersecurity, digital literacy, and responsible online behavior. Only collective vigilance and concerted action will enable Taiwan to defend its democratic values.
