Taiwan prosecutors uncover Chinese intelligence link in alleged personal data leak case

Taipei [Taiwan], August 10 (ANI): Taipei prosecutors have uncovered links to a Chinese intelligence network while investigating Huang Po-wei and Wang Ta-wei over alleged Chinese espionage activities, including the disclosure of personal information belonging to a retired navy sergeant who has publicly spoken out against the Chinese Communist Party.
According to a report by Taipei Times, Huang and Wang are being investigated for allegedly violating Taiwan's Personal Data Protection Act by obtaining the personal records of millions of Taiwanese citizens, publishing individuals' personal information online and passing such information to Chinese intelligence agencies.
The retired navy sergeant, identified by the surname Tsai, has been a vocal opponent of communism for years and continued to closely follow national defence and cross-strait developments after retiring from military service.
Tsai has used his background as the child of a Chinese spouse to highlight the threat posed by Chinese infiltration and "united front" activities directed at Taiwan. He also expressed support for Chinese citizens seeking greater freedom during China's White Paper Protests.
Tsai has criticised China's information censorship and cognitive warfare, arguing that platforms including Sina Weibo, Douyin and Xiaohongshu suppress content that challenges the official Chinese narrative, thereby creating a misleading impression of peace and stability, as cited by Taipei Times.
Last year, Wang became involved in an online dispute with Tsai and publicly disclosed the name of Tsai's mother. Tsai said that although his mother was originally from China, she had also opposed communism for many years.
Tsai said that if Wang had obtained his mother's name, he could potentially have accessed additional personal details, including her registered address. This raised concerns that the personal information of Taiwanese citizens could have been obtained and leaked, he said.
At the time, Tsai warned that if personal information belonging to military personnel and their family members were obtained by hostile forces, it could potentially be used to intimidate or threaten them in the event of a war.
Investigators have now determined that the leak of personal information is connected to a Chinese intelligence network, indicating that Tsai's earlier concerns may have been justified, according to the Taipei Times report.
Officials from Taiwan's National Security Bureau and Ministry of National Defence have warned that China has intensified its cognitive warfare efforts against Taiwan in recent years. They said these activities involve spreading contentious information, aggravating divisions within Taiwanese society and specifically targeting individuals.
According to the officials, China's objective is to weaken public confidence in Taiwan's government, national identity and willingness to defend the island.
They further warned that if personal information is used by China to conduct targeted intimidation, it could damage the morale of military personnel, create fear and panic within society, and weaken Taiwan's psychological resilience, Taipei Times reported. (ANI)