With more than a month left before next year’s election, there was a shocking news on Taiwan island that surveillance data from intelligence and public security agencies (intelligence and security agencies) had been leaked, causing panic for a while.
According to Taiwan’s “China Times” report on December 7, a netizen on the Facebook group “Breaking News Commune” posted on the 6th that someone on the dark web was selling surveillance data for US$100,000 under the title “Selling Taiwan 3G surveillance data”, and attached Watch list on page 10. According to the report, this batch of surveillance data records in detail relevant information of Taiwan’s National Security Bureau, Investigation Bureau, Independent Commission Against Corruption, Military Police and other intelligence and governance agencies. It also indicates the surveillance font size, surveillance time, objects, personnel performing surveillance operations, etc. , even the name of the reviewing judge is included. The targets of surveillance include heavyweight “legislators” and their assistants, political figures, retired generals, local government officials and confidential officials. Among the politicians are former KMT Vice Chairman Zeng Yongquan, Miaoli County Speaker Li Wenbin, etc., as well as blue and green politicians; Taiwanese military personnel include retired Army Lieutenant General Gao Anguo, retired Army Major General Xu Naiquan, etc.; many foreign personnel stationed in Taiwan are also here. in the monitoring list.
The release of the list shocked the island, and the DPP authorities blamed it on “cognitive warfare.” Taiwan’s “Procuratorate” stated that this information was posted to Taiwanese social networking sites from overseas servers and “is a cognitive operation carried out by overseas forces against Taiwan.” Taiwan’s “Investigation Bureau” stated in a press release on the evening of the 6th that the surveillance data was obviously processed and pieced together, and was deliberately spread on the eve of the election in an attempt to create conflict between political parties and undermine relations between Taiwan and “diplomatic countries”.
However, according to a report from Taiwan’s Zhongshi Electronic News on the 7th, the reporter used the dark network list to ask a case handler who worked in the above-mentioned unit for verification. The other party surprisingly confirmed that “it is the case we are listening to.” He suspected that the information was leaked by Taiwan’s “Investigation Bureau”, saying that they submitted orders to Taiwan’s “Criminal Bureau” and “Investigation Bureau” for online monitoring of the case, and all that leaked were the monitoring calls submitted to the latter, complaining that “so I only found out about important news through reporters.” The report also mentioned that an investigator also believed that the data was authentic. “There are cases that are still under investigation and there are too many names of colleagues, so it is unlikely to be forged.
“China Times” stated on the 7th that Taiwan has also leaked a similar monitoring list in 2021, accusing Taiwan’s “National Security Bureau” of illegally monitoring party and government officials and personnel stationed in Taiwan since 2019. Kuomintang candidate Hou Youyi said on the 7th that the leakage of surveillance data has made people on the island panic, and the inspection unit should clarify the facts as soon as possible during the important moment of the election. His deputy Zhao Shaokang believes that there are two levels to this case: first, whether the information is true or false; second, if it is true, whether the surveillance ticket was issued in accordance with regulations and approved by the judge, and why it was leaked. Kuomintang “legislator” Lai Shibao said that there are only more than 30 days left before the election voting. If the list is fake, it is for election hype. But if even the investigator said that it “feels real,” the problem may not be simple. Taiwan’s information security has become a big joke. The Democratic Progressive Party authorities don’t just talk about conflict and “cognitive warfare.” United Daily News stated on the 7th that even if the data content is true or false, why the confidential documents were leaked is the real crisis on the island. (Zhang Ruo)