National Security Bureau: Gaode Map Poses Security Risks, Transmits User Personal Data to China
Taiwan's National Security Bureau confirmed that China's Gaode Map app transmits user personal data, including call content, to Chinese servers, even when the app is closed, posing high security risks. Government agencies have already been banned from using it.
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- 📰 Published: May 7, 2026 at 14:53
- 🔍 Collected: May 7, 2026 at 15:01 (7 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 7, 2026 at 15:14 (12 min after Collected)
Central News Agency (Reporter Wu Shu-ping, Taipei, 7th) - China's Gaode Map APP is suspected of having information security concerns, with the Ministry of Digital Affairs previously banning its use by government agencies. National Security Bureau Director Tsai Ming-yen stated today that the National Security Bureau conducted tests on Gaode Map, and out of 15 test items, 9 had information security problems, including the collection of personal data such as call content and its transmission back to Chinese servers. Even when the app is closed, data continues to be sent to China.
The Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee of the Legislative Yuan today reviewed the public and confidential parts of the National Security Bureau's budget for fiscal year 115. Legislator Wang An-hsiang of the Taiwan People's Party inquired about the information security issues of Gaode Map, asking whether the National Security Bureau had conducted an analysis.
Tsai Ming-yen stated that the Ministry of Digital Affairs has requested the Institute for Information Industry to conduct information security tests, and it is understood that a public report will be presented next month. The National Security Bureau also conducted internal tests on Gaode Map, and out of 15 test items, 9 had information security problems.
Tsai Ming-yen pointed out that Gaode Map continuously collects user contact lists, call content, and real-time video, and more importantly, it transmits data back to Chinese servers. Even after users close the Gaode Map APP, Gaode Map continues to send relevant user personal data to Chinese servers, so Gaode Map indeed has relatively high information security risks.
Tsai Ming-yen stated that while other foreign-made APPs might also collect information, none share information with third parties in the same way as Gaode Map, which indeed presents a rather serious information security situation.
Tsai Ming-yen pointed out that in the user agreement for Gaode Map, it specifically emphasizes that data will be transmitted to third parties, and China's national security legal system requires Chinese companies to share all corporate information or user information. Therefore, this indeed presents relatively serious information security and national security concerns.
Regarding whether to make the National Security Bureau's test report public, Tsai Ming-yen stated that since the Ministry of Digital Affairs has already announced it will conduct tests, the National Security Bureau will not overstep its authority and respects the Ministry of Digital Affairs' approach. The National Security Bureau will provide information from its internal investigation report for the Ministry of Digital Affairs' reference.
The Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee of the Legislative Yuan today reviewed the public and confidential parts of the National Security Bureau's budget for fiscal year 115. Legislator Wang An-hsiang of the Taiwan People's Party inquired about the information security issues of Gaode Map, asking whether the National Security Bureau had conducted an analysis.
Tsai Ming-yen stated that the Ministry of Digital Affairs has requested the Institute for Information Industry to conduct information security tests, and it is understood that a public report will be presented next month. The National Security Bureau also conducted internal tests on Gaode Map, and out of 15 test items, 9 had information security problems.
Tsai Ming-yen pointed out that Gaode Map continuously collects user contact lists, call content, and real-time video, and more importantly, it transmits data back to Chinese servers. Even after users close the Gaode Map APP, Gaode Map continues to send relevant user personal data to Chinese servers, so Gaode Map indeed has relatively high information security risks.
Tsai Ming-yen stated that while other foreign-made APPs might also collect information, none share information with third parties in the same way as Gaode Map, which indeed presents a rather serious information security situation.
Tsai Ming-yen pointed out that in the user agreement for Gaode Map, it specifically emphasizes that data will be transmitted to third parties, and China's national security legal system requires Chinese companies to share all corporate information or user information. Therefore, this indeed presents relatively serious information security and national security concerns.
Regarding whether to make the National Security Bureau's test report public, Tsai Ming-yen stated that since the Ministry of Digital Affairs has already announced it will conduct tests, the National Security Bureau will not overstep its authority and respects the Ministry of Digital Affairs' approach. The National Security Bureau will provide information from its internal investigation report for the Ministry of Digital Affairs' reference.