TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Taiwan's National Security Bureau issued a report on Friday that revealed a sharp rise in Chinese disinformation targeting Taiwanese internet users.
The NSB report highlights a substantial increase in the number of disinformation messages, with 2.15 million identified in 2024, compared to 1.32 million in 2023, per CNA.
The NSB's findings suggest these messages aim to sow distrust in Taiwan's government, particularly towards the US, the armed forces, and President Lai Ching-te (賴清德). The aim is to erode public confidence and escalate societal tensions.
The report also emphasized that Chinese disinformation is increasingly focused on younger Taiwanese netizens. Platforms like X and TikTok are said to have seen drastic increases due to their demographics.
Six key tactics were identified in the disinformation campaign:
- Using irregular accounts to spread propaganda
- Hacking accounts to promote pro-China narratives
- Leveraging military drills to complement intimidation efforts
- Employing artificial intelligence to create disinformation
- Pushing party lines through seemingly neutral online proxies
- Creating fake news websites to advance Chinese perspectives
The NSB said China is exploiting Taiwan's open democratic environment, along with the rise of generative AI, to wage "cognitive warfare." The agency added Taiwan has developed mechanisms to combat such tactics domestically.
On the international front, the report noted that Taiwan has shared its experiences in combating disinformation with like-minded nations.