TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s Ministry of Digital Affairs on Tuesday warned the public about cybersecurity risks associated with using mobile phones abroad, outlining seven precautions ahead of the Lunar New Year travel rush, per a press release.
First, MODA recommended using roaming services provided by domestic telecom operators, saying they offer encrypted transmission and are generally more secure than local SIM cards or eSIMs.
However, it noted that roaming operators in host countries can still access information such as international mobile equipment identity numbers and GPS location data. For this reason, MODA advised civil servants to enable airplane mode while abroad and connect to the internet only when necessary.
Second, the ministry urged travelers to avoid public Wi-Fi networks, saying their security is difficult to verify and they are often targeted by hackers. Government employees were specifically advised to disable public Wi-Fi to prevent potential leaks of official data.
Third, MODA cautioned against using local SIM cards or eSIMs for internet access. It said SIM cards in China require real-name registration, which can expose users’ identities, locations, and online activities to government monitoring. Civil servants were told to avoid local SIM cards altogether and limit internet use to essential situations.
MODA’s fourth warning was against using public USB charging stations, which can be maliciously configured to install malware during charging, a practice known as “juice jacking.” Travelers were urged to bring their own power banks and chargers to reduce the risk of hacking or data theft.
Fifth, it said mobile phones should not be left unattended. If a phone is searched or detained, users are advised to reset the device immediately after returning home to reduce the risk of surveillance software being installed.
Civil servants traveling to China were also told to ensure their phones contain no official information and to avoid conducting official business while there.
The sixth recommendation was to avoid installing Chinese-made apps, which it said may request system permissions unrelated to their functions, such as access to contacts, microphones, cameras, or location data. The ministry said such practices increase the risk of privacy breaches and data leaks, adding that Chinese-made apps are strictly prohibited on official devices.
Finally, it warned against purchasing locally sold or Chinese-licensed mobile phones, which it said may contain backdoors or surveillance software and transmit data to local data centers in China. Such devices pose “extremely high” cybersecurity risks and are banned for official use.
MODA urged the public to assess cybersecurity risks and protect personal data when traveling abroad, particularly when visiting China. Civil servants were advised to exercise greater caution when traveling to or transiting through China.
