Amap Shows Traffic Light Countdowns; MoTC Clarifies No Data Provided
Chinese navigation app Amap's display of traffic light countdowns in Taiwan sparked security concerns. Taiwan's MoTC clarified they never provided such data, explaining that the app estimates timings using big data and user GPS. Citizens are advised to use domestic apps to protect privacy.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 23, 2026 at 18:27
- 🔍 Collected: April 23, 2026 at 18:31 (4 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 23, 2026 at 18:41 (9 min after Collected)
Central News Agency
(CNA Reporter Yu Xiaohan, Taipei, 23rd) The arrival of the Chinese "Amap" (Gaode Map) app in Taiwan, featuring the ability to view "traffic light countdowns," has sparked cybersecurity concerns. The Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MoTC) stated today that the government has never provided relevant data to the software, urging the public to be assured; the traffic light timings on Amap are estimated through big data.
The Chinese Amap app displays street views in 3D and even features traffic light countdowns, raising suspicions of cybersecurity risks. The Ministry of Digital Affairs (MoDA) stated today that according to the Cyber Security Management Act, Amap is a product that endangers national cybersecurity and is banned from use by government agencies. A cybersecurity risk assessment will be published in May.
The MoTC pointed out that the government has never provided related data to the software, asking the public not to worry.
The MoTC explained that the purpose of establishing the "Transport Data eXchange (TDX)" platform is to promote smart transportation by providing public information on buses, MRTS, and road conditions; after a comprehensive review, the TDX platform contains absolutely no real-time traffic light countdown data, nor does it provide any Application Programming Interface (API) to businesses to access signal information.
Furthermore, the MoTC said it adopts the "strictest scrutiny" attitude towards opening data, and will absolutely not open traffic data involving national security or sensitive information.
The MoTC stated that traffic signal control is highly professional and closed. Relevant data is only used for traffic management by local governments, and all signal data travels through the Government Service Network (GSN VPN) and is strictly protected by firewalls. Unauthorized entities cannot read it at all, ensuring the absolute safety of the infrastructure.
The MoTC pointed out that the traffic light countdowns appearing on Amap are actually derived through "big data estimation." The software utilizes the GPS positioning, speed changes, and waiting times transmitted back by a massive number of users during navigation to calculate the signal patterns of intersections, rather than being proactively provided by government agencies.
The MoTC said the real security concern in this case lies in the fact that using software "developed overseas" may lead to personal privacy leaks or cybersecurity risks. The public is urged to prioritize using navigation services regulated by Taiwanese laws to safeguard personal information security. (Editor: Wu Surou) 1150423
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(CNA Reporter Yu Xiaohan, Taipei, 23rd) The arrival of the Chinese "Amap" (Gaode Map) app in Taiwan, featuring the ability to view "traffic light countdowns," has sparked cybersecurity concerns. The Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MoTC) stated today that the government has never provided relevant data to the software, urging the public to be assured; the traffic light timings on Amap are estimated through big data.
The Chinese Amap app displays street views in 3D and even features traffic light countdowns, raising suspicions of cybersecurity risks. The Ministry of Digital Affairs (MoDA) stated today that according to the Cyber Security Management Act, Amap is a product that endangers national cybersecurity and is banned from use by government agencies. A cybersecurity risk assessment will be published in May.
The MoTC pointed out that the government has never provided related data to the software, asking the public not to worry.
The MoTC explained that the purpose of establishing the "Transport Data eXchange (TDX)" platform is to promote smart transportation by providing public information on buses, MRTS, and road conditions; after a comprehensive review, the TDX platform contains absolutely no real-time traffic light countdown data, nor does it provide any Application Programming Interface (API) to businesses to access signal information.
Furthermore, the MoTC said it adopts the "strictest scrutiny" attitude towards opening data, and will absolutely not open traffic data involving national security or sensitive information.
The MoTC stated that traffic signal control is highly professional and closed. Relevant data is only used for traffic management by local governments, and all signal data travels through the Government Service Network (GSN VPN) and is strictly protected by firewalls. Unauthorized entities cannot read it at all, ensuring the absolute safety of the infrastructure.
The MoTC pointed out that the traffic light countdowns appearing on Amap are actually derived through "big data estimation." The software utilizes the GPS positioning, speed changes, and waiting times transmitted back by a massive number of users during navigation to calculate the signal patterns of intersections, rather than being proactively provided by government agencies.
The MoTC said the real security concern in this case lies in the fact that using software "developed overseas" may lead to personal privacy leaks or cybersecurity risks. The public is urged to prioritize using navigation services regulated by Taiwanese laws to safeguard personal information security. (Editor: Wu Surou) 1150423
Stand with the facts, every sponsorship from you is the power to guard press freedom.
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The text, images, and audio-visuals on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.