Security Concerns Over China's AutoNavi App; Liu Shih-fang: Will Ban If It Affects National Security
Interior Minister Liu Shih-fang stated that China's 'AutoNavi' app will be banned in Taiwan if a risk assessment shows it impacts national security.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 23, 2026 at 10:57
- 🔍 Collected: April 23, 2026 at 11:31 (34 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 23, 2026 at 12:52 (1h 20m after Collected)
Central News Agency Message
(CNA Reporter Chen Chun-hua, Taipei, 23rd) The introduction of China's "AutoNavi" (Amap) into Taiwan, featuring a "traffic light countdown" function, has raised information security concerns. Minister of the Interior Liu Shih-fang said today that a risk assessment will be conducted for AutoNavi or any app with security concerns. If it significantly impacts Taiwan's national security, it will be banned, and government agencies should not use it.
Media reports indicate that China's "AutoNavi" can display street views in 3D and has a traffic light countdown function, raising fears of potential security risks. Minister of Digital Affairs Lin I-ching mentioned that the base map data used by AutoNavi was not collected in Taiwan but purchased from a Dutch company. If a security concern is confirmed after testing, all public departments will be required not to use it.
The Internal Administration Committee of the Legislative Yuan invited Interior Minister Liu Shih-fang, Acting Chairman of the Central Election Commission Wu Jung-hui, and others today to continue reviewing amendments to Article 26 of the Civil Servants Election And Recall Act and Article 26 of the Presidential and Vice Presidential Election and Recall Act. DPP Legislator Lin Shu-fen, KMT Legislator Chen Yu-chen, and the Taiwan People's Party caucus proposed excluding the passive qualification restrictions for candidates who received a suspended sentence.
Liu Shih-fang stated in an interview before the meeting that risk assessments will be conducted for AutoNavi or any app with security concerns. If deemed to have a major impact on Taiwan's national security, it will be banned; moreover, not only police officers but all government agencies should not use it. The relevant information will be finally confirmed with the Ministry of Digital Affairs and the National Communications Commission (NCC).
Regarding the draft amendment to Article 26 of the Election and Recall Act, Liu Shih-fang said the executive branch's stance hopes to maintain the original proposal, logically promoting clean elections. Different caucuses have varying proposals for discussion, and whether it requires cross-party negotiation ultimately, the Ministry of the Interior will respect the outcome.
Liu Shih-fang said that the competent authorities involved in the Election and Recall Act include the Ministry of the Interior, the Central Election Commission, the Ministry of Justice, and the Judicial Yuan. She respects whether the discussion results lean towards the legislators' proposed direction. However, the Ministry of the Interior also advocates that if serious felony clauses in the "Fraud Crime Hazard Prevention Act" are involved, the principle of not being allowed to run for office should remain. (Editor: Hsieh Chia-chen) 1150423
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(CNA Reporter Chen Chun-hua, Taipei, 23rd) The introduction of China's "AutoNavi" (Amap) into Taiwan, featuring a "traffic light countdown" function, has raised information security concerns. Minister of the Interior Liu Shih-fang said today that a risk assessment will be conducted for AutoNavi or any app with security concerns. If it significantly impacts Taiwan's national security, it will be banned, and government agencies should not use it.
Media reports indicate that China's "AutoNavi" can display street views in 3D and has a traffic light countdown function, raising fears of potential security risks. Minister of Digital Affairs Lin I-ching mentioned that the base map data used by AutoNavi was not collected in Taiwan but purchased from a Dutch company. If a security concern is confirmed after testing, all public departments will be required not to use it.
The Internal Administration Committee of the Legislative Yuan invited Interior Minister Liu Shih-fang, Acting Chairman of the Central Election Commission Wu Jung-hui, and others today to continue reviewing amendments to Article 26 of the Civil Servants Election And Recall Act and Article 26 of the Presidential and Vice Presidential Election and Recall Act. DPP Legislator Lin Shu-fen, KMT Legislator Chen Yu-chen, and the Taiwan People's Party caucus proposed excluding the passive qualification restrictions for candidates who received a suspended sentence.
Liu Shih-fang stated in an interview before the meeting that risk assessments will be conducted for AutoNavi or any app with security concerns. If deemed to have a major impact on Taiwan's national security, it will be banned; moreover, not only police officers but all government agencies should not use it. The relevant information will be finally confirmed with the Ministry of Digital Affairs and the National Communications Commission (NCC).
Regarding the draft amendment to Article 26 of the Election and Recall Act, Liu Shih-fang said the executive branch's stance hopes to maintain the original proposal, logically promoting clean elections. Different caucuses have varying proposals for discussion, and whether it requires cross-party negotiation ultimately, the Ministry of the Interior will respect the outcome.
Liu Shih-fang said that the competent authorities involved in the Election and Recall Act include the Ministry of the Interior, the Central Election Commission, the Ministry of Justice, and the Judicial Yuan. She respects whether the discussion results lean towards the legislators' proposed direction. However, the Ministry of the Interior also advocates that if serious felony clauses in the "Fraud Crime Hazard Prevention Act" are involved, the principle of not being allowed to run for office should remain. (Editor: Hsieh Chia-chen) 1150423
Choose to stand with the facts, every sponsorship from you is the power to protect press freedom.
Download the CNA 'First Hand News' APP to grasp the latest news instantly.
The text, images, and audio-visuals on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and utilized without authorization.