Taiwan Warns Citizens About Chinese Apps: National Security at Stake

Rising Digital Tensions Between Taiwan and China

In a digital age where mobile apps are deeply embedded in our daily routines, Taiwan’s National Security Bureau (NSB) has issued a stark warning that could alter how millions interact with popular platforms. Citing serious concerns over privacy violations and covert data transmission, the NSB has flagged several Chinese-developed apps—including RedNote (Xiaohongshu), Weibo, TikTok, WeChat, and Baidu Cloud—for aggressively collecting user data and potentially relaying it back to servers located in China.

The advisory, released after a joint technical investigation with the Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau (MJIB) and the Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB), calls on the Taiwanese public to exercise extreme caution when using mobile apps developed in China. The NSB’s findings suggest these platforms could be acting as quiet conduits of sensitive information to Chinese authorities, in alignment with China’s domestic data laws that require tech firms to hand over information for national security and intelligence purposes.

Original

Taiwan’s National Security Bureau (NSB) has raised an official red flag against several Chinese apps, stating they pose grave risks to user privacy. In a security advisory, the NSB revealed that apps such as RedNote (Xiaohongshu), Weibo, TikTok, WeChat, and Baidu Cloud were found to be involved in extensive and invasive data collection practices. This warning follows a rigorous inspection coordinated with Taiwan’s Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau and the National Police Agency’s Criminal Investigation Bureau.

According to the report, the assessment involved 15 key indicators grouped under five broad categories: personal data collection, excessive permission usage, data transmission and sharing, system information extraction, and biometric data access. Shockingly, RedNote breached all 15 indicators, while Weibo and TikTok violated 13 each. WeChat and Baidu Cloud failed in 10 and 9 categories respectively.

The violations include gathering facial recognition data, clipboard content, screenshots, location data, and even lists of installed apps—information that, when combined, could form comprehensive user profiles. The NSB confirmed that these apps transmit data back to servers located in China, raising alarms about possible misuse by unauthorized third parties.

Taiwan’s announcement aligns with a broader international crackdown. India banned nearly 100 Chinese apps in 2020, Canada ordered TikTok to dissolve operations in 2024, and German authorities recently demanded the removal of the Chinese AI chatbot DeepSeek over illegal data transfers. The NSB emphasized that, under China’s data laws, companies are compelled to surrender user data for state purposes, heightening the threat to users’ digital privacy and national security.

What Undercode Say:

The NSB’s advisory marks yet another point in the ongoing geopolitical struggle that’s now playing out in cyberspace. This isn’t just about apps—it’s about digital sovereignty and the implications of a digitally porous border. Taiwan’s concern over Chinese-developed apps isn’t unfounded. Given the People’s Republic of China’s far-reaching cybersecurity laws, any app developed within its jurisdiction can legally be compelled to share user data with state authorities under vague and broad pretenses such as “public security” or “intelligence gathering.”

The critical issue here is not merely privacy—it’s strategic vulnerability. Apps like TikTok and WeChat aren’t just social media platforms; they are tools of soft power. Their access to biometric data, device information, and user behaviors grants them the capability to build psychological and behavioral profiles of citizens. That data, in the wrong hands, could be used to influence public opinion, interfere with elections, or even conduct surveillance on political dissidents.

RedNote violating all 15 of the security indicators is especially alarming. While Xiaohongshu may be positioned as a lifestyle platform, the depth of its surveillance potential underscores that even “non-political” apps can be intelligence assets. The use of facial recognition and clipboard data—especially the latter, which can contain sensitive information like passwords and banking details—suggests deliberate overreach.

This incident also spotlights a major weakness in global app ecosystems: reliance on platforms hosted in countries with authoritarian data laws. While many users may be oblivious to the technical side of data permissions, the broader implications ripple into national security policy, trade relations, and international law. The German request to delist DeepSeek from app stores further reflects Europe’s growing unease with opaque Chinese technologies.

Taiwan’s proactive approach can set a precedent. Rather than outright bans, Taiwan has opted for public advisories supported by forensic evidence. This strategic transparency builds trust and informs users, unlike blanket bans that can often appear politically motivated without clear public justification.

This isn’t just a Taiwan-China issue—it’s a global wake-up call. Countries need stronger vetting systems for foreign apps, improved digital literacy among users, and international agreements that uphold data sovereignty and human rights. As tech becomes more embedded in national infrastructure, the cost of ignorance could be catastrophic.

🔍 Fact Checker Results

✅ Confirmed: NSB collaborated with MJIB and CIB in the investigation.
✅ Verified: RedNote, TikTok, and Weibo violate 13–15 privacy indicators.
✅ Verified: Chinese data laws compel tech firms to submit user data to the government.

📊 Prediction

Given the findings and global trends, Taiwan will likely move toward implementing app-specific restrictions or outright bans, especially for platforms that failed the maximum number of indicators. Regional allies such as Japan and South Korea may follow suit, particularly if cross-border data-sharing concerns rise. Expect growing momentum for laws requiring foreign apps to host data locally and increased scrutiny of app permissions in digital stores like Google Play and the Apple App Store.

Ultimately, the world is heading toward a fragmented internet—divided not just by firewalls, but by data ethics and trust.

References:

Reported By: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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