TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan will assess potential cybersecurity risks posed by China’s Amap and similar services, Interior Minister Liu Shyh-fang (劉世芳) said Thursday, warning they could be banned if found to threaten national security.
The Chinese navigation app has recently launched services in Taiwan, including real-time traffic light countdowns, raising concerns about potential data security risks, per CNA. Liu said authorities will conduct risk evaluations and, if the apps are found to have a significant impact on national security, they will be prohibited, with all government agencies barred from using them.
According to media reports, Amap also offers 3D street-view features. Digital Affairs Minister Lin Yi-jing (林宜敬) said the app’s base map data was not collected in Taiwan but purchased from a Dutch company, adding that if security risks are confirmed, all public sector use will be banned, reported CNA.
Experts warn the app could expose detailed patterns of users’ daily movements and habits, per Mirror Media. Some also worry that if the app can map areas around sensitive sites such as military bases, official residences, and the Presidential Office, it could reveal information related to national security.
Taoyuan City Councilor and retired Army General Yu Pei-chen (于北辰) told Mirror Media the app can track military ammunition depots, fuel depots, and other sensitive locations. He said patterns in stop times and frequency could allow adversaries to infer when and where Taiwan’s military is refueling or resupplying, potentially aiding future attack planning.
While Amap’s precision and polished interface may make it convenient and appealing, experts caution that it could also expose more personal data and movement patterns. That convenience, they say, comes with heightened privacy and national security concerns.
