New Taipei Fines Two Dr-Shine Clinics NT$500,000 Each, Orders 6-Month Suspension for Privacy Violations

(CNA reporters Tsao Ya-yen, Huang Hsu-sheng, New Taipei, 21st) The New Taipei City Government stated today that following the recent heavy fines imposed on three Airlee clinics, it has now confirmed that two branches of Dr-Shine Clinic, Qanqian and Zhongshan in Banqiao, also installed disguised surveillance equipment, violating patient privacy. Each was fined the maximum of NT$500,000 and ordered to suspend operations for six months, effective immediately. After the suspected hidden camera case broke out at Airlee Clinic, a member of the public reported that Dr-Shine Clinic also seemed to have disguised surveillance cameras. Prosecutors and police subsequently searched five Dr-Shine branches in Banqiao Qanqian, Banqiao Zhongshan, Sanxia, Sanchong, and Xinzhuang. They discovered that the group's operations manager, a man surnamed Chen, and its IT manager, a man surnamed Tang, allegedly instructed employees to remove the surveillance cameras. Both have been detained and are prohibited from communicating. The person in charge of Dr-Shine, Wang Chao-hui, had traveled to China before the case emerged, and the investigation is ongoing. The New Taipei City Department of Health stated that after a previous investigation, it confirmed that three cosmetic clinics of the Airlee Group in Xinzhuang, Linkou, and Yonghe had severely violated patient privacy. On the 15th, the three clinics were each fined NT$500,000 and ordered to suspend operations for six months. Today, it was further confirmed that the two Dr-Shine Clinic branches in Banqiao also engaged in filming patients' personal privacy using disguised surveillance equipment. This act seriously violates Article 108 of the Medical Care Act, which prohibits "engaging in indecent or improper business that is harmful to good morals or human health." The act was deemed intentional and the circumstances severe. In addition to fining each clinic the maximum of NT$500,000, the two clinics were ordered to suspend operations for six months starting today. The investigation into other potentially involved clinics will continue in cooperation with prosecutors and police. The New Taipei City Government reiterated its "zero-tolerance" stance on any act that infringes upon citizens' privacy. It immediately launched a cross-departmental "Anti-Hidden Camera Inspection Project." As of May 20, 188 establishments have been inspected, including 124 clinics, 63 fitness centers, and 1 sauna. If any evidence of illegal privacy violations is found, the case will be referred for further judicial investigation, and the most severe administrative penalties will be imposed.