TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan People’s Party Chair Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) is facing allegations that he assembled a team of hackers to access private information about his critics and sensitive political communications.
A Mirror Media report claims Huang used the group to obtain personal data on individuals who criticized him or impersonated TPP supporters. He allegedly passed the information to authorities for investigation, per UP Media.
Huang is also accused of illegally accessing Telegram conversations between former Democratic Progressive Party Secretary-General Lin Hsi-yao (林錫耀), former Justice Minister Tsai Ching-hsiang (蔡清祥), and former National Security Council member Chen Chun-lin (陳俊麟). The report claims he used the information to question potential interference in judicial appointments at the Legislative Yuan and later sold the data on the dark web.
The alleged hacking came to light after a September cybersecurity incident at Radio Taiwan International, involving a computer engineer surnamed Wu (吳). Wu reportedly told investigators he had collaborated with Huang and was aware of vulnerabilities in RTI’s system.
Huang responded to the allegations on Tuesday, calling the Mirror Media report entirely fabricated, per NOWNews. Regarding the Telegram leak, he thanked the publication for “reminding the public that Lin interfered in the Ministry of Justice’s personnel appointments.”
As for Wu’s alleged testimony, Huang said he only asked about RTI’s use of contractors with ties to China. He accused Mirror Media of inventing stories and criticized what he described as a “coalition of prosecutors, the media, and the DPP.”
Huang said he is willing to cooperate with authorities and urged prosecutors to question him directly if they possess credible evidence related to the hacking claims.
Separately, the DPP legislative caucus filed a complaint with the Control Yuan, accusing Huang of violating the Political Donations Act in connection with an earlier paparazzi scandal. DPP Legislative Director Chung Chia-pin (鍾佳濱) said Huang potentially used political donations to fund the operation, which would require disclosure under law, per Tai Sounds.
In response to the latest hacking allegations, DPP caucus Deputy Director Fan Yun (范雲) said Huang should withdraw from politics if the claims are proven true, per Tai Sounds.
