MODA: Public Sector Banned from Using Gaode Map, Security Risk Assessment to be Published in May
Due to cybersecurity risks regarding data collection by the Chinese government, Taiwan's MODA has banned public agencies from using the Gaode Map app and will release a risk assessment in May.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 23, 2026 at 13:55
- 🔍 Collected: April 23, 2026 at 14:01 (6 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 23, 2026 at 16:13 (2h 11m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(CNA Reporters Lai Yu-chen, Kao Hua-chien, Taipei, 23rd) The Chinese Gaode Map App can display "traffic light countdowns" for certain roads in Taiwan, raising suspicions of cybersecurity risks. The Ministry of Digital Affairs (MODA) stated today that according to the Cyber Security Management Act, Gaode Map is a product that endangers national cybersecurity and is banned for use by government agencies. A cybersecurity risk assessment will be published in May. Additionally, Gaode Map's traffic light countdown feature is not interfaced with Taiwan's traffic signals but is estimated independently.
Besides presenting street views in 3D, the Chinese Gaode Map App even features traffic light countdowns. Minister of the Interior Liu Shyh-fang said that risk assessments will be conducted on Gaode Map and any apps with cybersecurity concerns. If they pose a significant impact on national security, they will be banned, and public agencies should not use them.
Executive Yuan Spokesperson Li Hui-chih said at a post-council press conference this morning that the principles restricting agencies from using products endangering national cybersecurity were published back in 2019. Any software with widespread cybersecurity risks is banned in public agencies. Currently, relevant agencies will conduct cybersecurity testing and risk assessments on Gaode Map, and it is also recommended that the public stay vigilant and avoid downloading Chinese-made apps with cybersecurity concerns.
Tsai Fu-long, Director General of the Administration for Cyber Security at MODA, supplemented at the press conference that the National Institute of Cyber Security (NICS) will conduct cybersecurity testing on Gaode Map and is expected to hold a press conference in mid-May to remind the public of related cybersecurity risks. According to the Cyber Security Management Act amended last year, Gaode Map has always been a product endangering national cybersecurity and is banned in all government agencies.
Tsai stated that according to Chinese laws, the Chinese government has the right to access corporate data, and Chinese citizens are obliged to cooperate. The use of Gaode Map involves data such as location and movement trajectories, which are transmitted back to servers in China. Since relevant data will be collected and utilized by the Chinese government, he urged the public to avoid using it.
He mentioned that currently, Gaode Map is mostly used by Taiwanese businessmen traveling across the strait and people visiting China. Given the possibility of leaking sensitive personal location and digital trajectories, it is recommended not to use it in Taiwan. (Editor: Wan Shu-chang) 1150423
(CNA Reporters Lai Yu-chen, Kao Hua-chien, Taipei, 23rd) The Chinese Gaode Map App can display "traffic light countdowns" for certain roads in Taiwan, raising suspicions of cybersecurity risks. The Ministry of Digital Affairs (MODA) stated today that according to the Cyber Security Management Act, Gaode Map is a product that endangers national cybersecurity and is banned for use by government agencies. A cybersecurity risk assessment will be published in May. Additionally, Gaode Map's traffic light countdown feature is not interfaced with Taiwan's traffic signals but is estimated independently.
Besides presenting street views in 3D, the Chinese Gaode Map App even features traffic light countdowns. Minister of the Interior Liu Shyh-fang said that risk assessments will be conducted on Gaode Map and any apps with cybersecurity concerns. If they pose a significant impact on national security, they will be banned, and public agencies should not use them.
Executive Yuan Spokesperson Li Hui-chih said at a post-council press conference this morning that the principles restricting agencies from using products endangering national cybersecurity were published back in 2019. Any software with widespread cybersecurity risks is banned in public agencies. Currently, relevant agencies will conduct cybersecurity testing and risk assessments on Gaode Map, and it is also recommended that the public stay vigilant and avoid downloading Chinese-made apps with cybersecurity concerns.
Tsai Fu-long, Director General of the Administration for Cyber Security at MODA, supplemented at the press conference that the National Institute of Cyber Security (NICS) will conduct cybersecurity testing on Gaode Map and is expected to hold a press conference in mid-May to remind the public of related cybersecurity risks. According to the Cyber Security Management Act amended last year, Gaode Map has always been a product endangering national cybersecurity and is banned in all government agencies.
Tsai stated that according to Chinese laws, the Chinese government has the right to access corporate data, and Chinese citizens are obliged to cooperate. The use of Gaode Map involves data such as location and movement trajectories, which are transmitted back to servers in China. Since relevant data will be collected and utilized by the Chinese government, he urged the public to avoid using it.
He mentioned that currently, Gaode Map is mostly used by Taiwanese businessmen traveling across the strait and people visiting China. Given the possibility of leaking sensitive personal location and digital trajectories, it is recommended not to use it in Taiwan. (Editor: Wan Shu-chang) 1150423