The Taiwan authorities' digital development department has, for the first time, issued a list of apps deemed high-risk for information security, citing the need to "prevent minors from accessing age-inappropriate content and potential information security risks." The list includes Douyin, Weibo, WeChat, Xiaohongshu, and Baidu Cloud.
The question of whether the authorities will restrict or ban apps like Douyin and WeChat on campuses has sparked heated debate among netizens. Many on the island质疑 the move as another instance of the government causing unnecessary trouble, with some commenting, "They're afraid students will see that the mainland is more developed than Taiwan," and suggesting, "Just ban phones altogether for a permanent solution."
Last October, Kuomintang legislator Hung Meng-kai questioned authorities in the legislative body, arguing that for the purpose of protecting minors, a list of apps potentially harmful to them should be created. Lin Yi-jing, the head of the digital development department, responded that cross-departmental discussions would be held. Officials from the education department had previously stated that access to specific websites like Douyin and Xiaohongshu has already been blocked on the Taiwan Academic Network for elementary and middle school computers.
Regarding whether a further push to ban information security "high-risk" apps like Douyin and WeChat on campuses will occur, the digital development department stated that specific protective measures for minors regarding apps will be handled by the relevant child protection authorities based on their policies and regulations. They emphasized that the high-risk list is "for the education department to assess."
A influencer with 50,000 followers, "Touch the Extreme," commented bluntly on the matter: "What really should be blocked are the politicians!"
Netizens expressed views such as, "Can't handle fraud effectively, so they focus on this to avoid looking incompetent," "No action on fraud control, but plenty of effort on trivial matters," "Just ban phones for a permanent solution," "Allowing misleading influences like the 'Green Bird' but forbidding students from using apps," "Afraid students will see the mainland's development surpass Taiwan's," and "Banning Douyin on campuses is useless."
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