TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s National Security Bureau said Thursday that security testing of Chinese navigation app Amap found multiple data security issues, including the transmission of personal information to servers in China.
Director-General Tsai Ming-yen (蔡明彥) said the bureau’s tests covered 15 security categories and identified issues in nine of them. The National Institute of Cyber Security has been commissioned to conduct a separate assessment, with a public report expected next month, according to CNA.
Tsai said the app collects users’ contacts, call content, and real-time audio and video data, which are transmitted to servers in China. He said testing also indicated the app may continue transmitting data even after it is closed.
He noted that the app’s terms allow data sharing with third parties. Under China’s national security laws, companies may be required to provide data to authorities upon request, which Tsai said raises cybersecurity and national security concerns.
Amap is a navigation and mapping service that provides real-time traffic information, route planning, and multiple transport modes. It now covers more than 230 countries and regions and includes a large database of locations and businesses, according to the App Store.
Amap offers features such as 3D street views and traffic light countdown functions. Under Taiwan’s Cyber Security Management Act, it has been classified as a product that poses risks to national cybersecurity, and government agencies were banned from using it earlier this year.
Administration for Cyber Security Director-General Tsai Fu-lung (蔡福隆) said the app is mainly used by Taiwanese businesspeople operating in China, while general public usage remains limited. He warned that the app may collect location and movement data and urged users in Taiwan to exercise caution.
