Taiwan
Taiwan’s National Security Bureau warns of CCP’s AI-driven disinformation and cyberattacks
Taiwan’s National Security Bureau has reported over 510,000 instances of Chinese Communist Party-led disinformation online in 2025, warning of artificial intelligence being used to destabilise society and linking the activity to broader cognitive warfare strategies.
Taiwan’s National Security Bureau (NSB) has identified more than 510,000 instances of online disinformation linked to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) so far in 2025.
The report, submitted to the Legislative Yuan on 8 April ahead of NSB Director-General Tsai Ming-yen’s appearance before the Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee, warned of increasing use of artificial intelligence to produce misleading content aimed at destabilising Taiwanese society.
According to the NSB, the CCP is engaging in cognitive warfare, focusing on divisive topics such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co’s (TSMC) expanding investments in the United States.
The report noted that controversial messages have primarily been circulated on platforms such as Facebook, PTT, Dcard, X (formerly Twitter), and TikTok.
The bureau identified about 3,600 suspicious accounts, with the majority operating on Facebook. However, incidents involving TikTok are on the rise as more Taiwanese users migrate to the platform.
In the first quarter of 2024, the bureau had recorded 442,652 such messages. The current 2025 figure represents a significant increase, with the trend linked to the growing deployment of AI to generate and spread misinformation.
The NSB outlined that the CCP utilises a broad ecosystem—including state-run media, private accounts, cyberarmy units, and public relations firms—to shape narratives and manipulate public opinion.
China’s influence campaigns often include cyberattacks launched through fake accounts and coordinated online activity. These efforts exploit Taiwan’s democratic transparency and societal openness, the report said.
Since 2024, Taiwan’s government service network has recorded an average of 2.19 million cyberattacks daily, with most attributed to Chinese sources.
The NSB highlighted a correlation between these attacks and major political or military developments, indicating a strategic alignment between cyber operations and the CCP’s broader Taiwan policy.
To counter these threats, the bureau has collaborated with industry partners, academics, and other intelligence agencies to develop an automated system for monitoring and analysing online threats.
It also pledged to continue strengthening data protection systems, enhance intelligence sharing, and upgrade communication security through resilient infrastructure and off-site backups.
In addition to targeting TSMC’s US$100 billion investment in the US, the NSB said the CCP had focused efforts on President William Lai’s national security speech on 13 March and Chinese military “joint combat readiness patrols.”
The CCP has also resorted to criminal methods, according to the NSB. Taiwan’s healthcare sector has suffered from a series of ransomware attacks in which hackers extracted and later sold stolen data on the dark web.
Such incidents are often followed by the strategic release of information online, aiming to undermine public confidence and spread anxiety, the bureau said.
Stolen data from government and defence institutions are reportedly being repackaged and circulated to damage the government’s credibility.
The NSB committed to improving Taiwan’s resilience against these hybrid threats by deepening international cooperation and technological preparedness.
