Taiwan Balances Cybersecurity and Human Rights Against China
Taiwan Balances Cybersecurity and Human Rights Against China

Taiwan Balances Cybersecurity and Human Rights Against China

theglobalsun – Earlier this month, Taiwan’s National Security Bureau (NSB) reported a significant surge in cyberattacks originating from China. These attacks, targeting Taiwan’s government networks, doubled in 2024 to an alarming 2.4 million daily incidents. Particularly concerning were assaults on cybersecurity and communications infrastructure. Which rose by an astounding 650% in 2024, posing severe risks to freedom of expression.

The NSB emphasized that these findings highlight the escalating severity of China’s hacking campaigns against Taiwan. These operations range from sophisticated hacking to physical attacks on internet infrastructure, including undersea cables. Coupled with United Front tactics designed to manipulate information and spread disinformation.

In this challenging landscape, Taiwan faces the critical task of balancing robust cybersecurity measures with its obligations under international human rights laws, such as protecting freedom of expression and privacy. By effectively navigating this balance, Taiwan not only strengthens its resistance to cyberthreats from China but also counters Beijing’s broader attempts to reshape digital governance in ways that undermine global internet freedom.

A forthcoming report, “The Expansion of PRC Cybersecurity Norms: Implications for the Indo-Pacific and the Taiwanese Alternative,” highlights Taiwan’s rights-based approach to cybersecurity governance as a vital alternative to China’s authoritarian model. By prioritizing democratic values and information resilience. Taiwan offers a contrasting framework that could serve as a model for the region.

China’s Cyber Sovereignty Model

China’s Digital Silk Road initiative, combined with global partnerships. Extends beyond infrastructure development to the promotion of Beijing’s digital governance norms. By exporting surveillance technologies and advocating its cybersecurity model. China risks entrenching digital authoritarianism in partner nations while normalizing its practices globally.

Central to China’s approach is the concept of cyber sovereignty, first articulated in a 2010 White Paper. This doctrine asserts that internet governance falls under national sovereignty. Allowing states to implement policies within their borders without external interference. While this model prioritizes state control. Directly challenges the universal and indivisible nature of human rights, which transcend national boundaries.

China’s normative framework favors multilateral cooperation, which emphasizes government-led decision-making, over the multi-stakeholder approach widely recognized as the international best practice for internet governance. The latter includes participation from civil society, private entities, and other stakeholders, ensuring greater transparency and the protection of rights. However, under Xi Jinping’s leadership, China has prioritized state-led control, asserting that cybersecurity is inseparable from national security and development.

This perspective influences Chinese laws and policies, often conflating digital development with securitization. For example, China integrates content control into critical information infrastructure management, framing it as essential to national security. This strategy restricts freedom of expression, suppresses dissent, and limits access to information.

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Taiwan’s Transparent and Multi-Stakeholder Cybersecurity Model

Taiwan exemplifies a progressive and rights-focused approach to managing cybersecurity challenges while upholding universal democratic principles. Unlike China’s state-controlled model, Taiwan fosters transparency and embraces multi-stakeholder collaboration. Even as it navigates a complex landscape of persistent cyberattacks and information threats.

Rather than securitizing its information infrastructure, Taiwan prioritizes human rights safeguards. This commitment is evident in its transparent governance ecosystem, which actively involves civil society and private stakeholders. For instance, grassroots initiatives like g0v.tw, the Hacks in Taiwan Conference (HITCON), and other hackathons play crucial roles in raising cybersecurity awareness and advancing technical capabilities.

HITCON, founded in 2005 by the Taiwan Hacker Association, has become a cornerstone of Taiwan’s cybersecurity efforts. The event gathers experts from around the world to address pressing cybersecurity challenges. Through conferences, workshops, and training programs, HITCON strengthens Taiwan’s technical resilience while fostering a global exchange of ideas.

This collaborative model contrasts sharply with China’s approach, which emphasizes state control and prioritizes national security over individual freedoms. Taiwan’s efforts demonstrate that cybersecurity can be robust without compromising transparency, inclusivity, or the right to information.

Taiwan’s Balanced Cybersecurity Governance

Taiwan demonstrates a progressive approach to cybersecurity governance by integrating public consultation and transparency into policymaking. Platforms like the Public Policy Network Participation Platform enable citizens to shape policies while balancing national security needs with civil liberties. The platform requires public notice periods for draft legislation and encourages structured dialogue between citizens and policymakers. Moderated by the Cybersecurity Law Subgroup and overseen by the National Development Council.

Taiwanese leaders emphasize that addressing cyber threats and harmful online content must not compromise fundamental freedoms, such as freedom of expression. For example, Audrey Tang, the former Minister of Digital Affairs, maintained clear boundaries during debates over the 2022 Draft Digital Intermediary Service Act, ensuring that content regulation remained separate from infrastructure and cybersecurity governance.

Despite this rights-based approach, some critics argue that Taiwan’s stance on foreign information manipulation and influence operations (FIMI) is too passive. However, Taiwan’s refusal to adopt content control mechanisms that infringe on free expression positions it as a model for democratic governance in the digital era.

Challenges remain in maintaining this balance. Certain policymakers in Taiwan have proposed adopting the concept of cyber sovereignty—a framework aligned with China-backed norms—into the National Security Act. While these efforts have so far been unsuccessful, such proposals highlight the ongoing debate within Taiwan’s evolving cybersecurity framework.

A Democratic Model in the Face of China’s Influence

In our upcoming report, we emphasize Taiwan’s rights-based approach to cybersecurity governance as a vital counterpoint to China’s expanding digital norms, particularly in the Indo-Pacific. Taiwan’s model aims to address escalating cyber threats from Beijing while avoiding arbitrary infringements on human rights and fundamental freedoms.

As the National Security Bureau (NSB) and other entities have highlighted, China’s cyberattacks on Taiwan’s infrastructure continue to evolve rapidly, posing significant challenges. Taiwan’s ability to adapt and strengthen its cybersecurity capacity remains essential to safeguarding its democratic systems and freedoms.

The international community must actively support Taiwan’s efforts to balance robust cybersecurity measures with a commitment to civil liberties. Taiwan’s inclusion in regional and global discussions about internet governance should be prioritized, recognizing it as a model for rights-respecting digital policies. Increased collaboration with Taiwan can help enhance its capacity to counter cyber threats while reinforcing global norms that protect freedom of expression and privacy.

Despite China’s attempts to isolate Taiwan diplomatically, the global community should integrate Taiwan into international fora on digital governance and cybersecurity. With its extensive experience combating sophisticated cyberattacks and resisting authoritarian norms, Taiwan is uniquely positioned to lead in setting democratic standards for digital governance. Empowering Taiwan to play a more significant role in shaping global cybersecurity norms can benefit the broader fight for a free and open internet.

Taiwan’s resilience against cyber threats and its adherence to human rights principles serve as a powerful example of how democratic values can guide effective governance in the digital age. By embracing Taiwan’s contributions, the international community can promote a balanced approach to cybersecurity that respects fundamental freedoms.