Childcare Groups Threaten Strike Over Surveillance Cloud Privacy Concerns; Ministry Clarifies

(CNA, Taipei, 18th) Childcare groups stated that the surveillance cloud system lacks complete information security and management measures, and forcibly pushing for the upload of childcare footage to the cloud raises concerns about children's privacy. They are planning a strike in August to protest. In response, the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) urgently clarified that the current plan is for the cloud upload of childcare footage to be implemented only after authorization is clearly defined. The Child and Youth Well-being and Rights Protection Act was officially promulgated by President Lai Ching-te on May 8. The Republic of China Childcare and Education Association held a press conference today to protest that before the surveillance cloud system establishes complete information security and management measures, forcibly pushing for the upload of childcare footage to the cloud would expose children's most private daily scenes, including changing clothes, napping, and changing diapers, to comprehensive information security risks. The Republic of China Childcare and Education Association questioned the lack of clear regulations and supporting measures for issues such as video storage duration, access rights, responsibility for data breaches, hacking risks, and supervision mechanisms in the surveillance cloud system. They oppose pushing children's footage into a high-risk cloud environment without comprehensive supporting measures and human rights protection. If the government fails to provide adequate measures, they do not rule out a joint strike with childcare centers across Taiwan in August. Chou Tao-chun, Director-General of the Social and Family Affairs Administration at MOHW, stated in a media interview this afternoon that according to the Child and Youth Well-being and Rights Protection Act, surveillance camera footage from childcare centers will need to be uploaded to a cloud space designated by the city or county government for storage. This is primarily for off-site remote backup and not for real-time monitoring by someone in an office, clarifying that it is not real-time surveillance. Regarding the childcare groups' concerns about private moments being filmed, Chou Tao-chun emphasized that the installation of surveillance cameras in childcare centers is mainly for filming public spaces, and the purpose is to preserve necessary footage as evidence in case of disputes. He understands that many childcare centers are open spaces without clear partitions, but neither current nor future regulations will require specific filming of private corners like changing tables or dressing areas. Chou Tao-chun pointed out that the cloud upload of childcare footage has not yet been implemented, and the implementation date will be announced by the Executive Yuan. 'The expectation now is that the surveillance cloud system will only be launched after authorization is clearly defined,' he said. The cloud storage of childcare footage will definitely have clear authorization regulations in the future. There are still about 20 authorization regulations to be completed, including who can access the footage, for what reasons, and their permissions, which will be fully discussed with parents and childcare groups to formulate the rules. (Editor: Chang Ya-ching) 1150518