Taiwan Cyber Authority Urges Public Not to Use Gaode Map App
Taiwan's cyber security authorities warned the public against using the Gaode Map navigation app in April 2026 after it added red light countdown features calculated through AI analysis of user data. Officials expressed concern that location and movement data are transmitted to Chinese servers where authorities can access them, and announced a security review scheduled for mid-May.
What happened
In April 2026, Gaode Map added a new feature showing red light countdown timers at traffic intersections in Taiwan, which sparked concerns about data security.
Taiwan's Cyber Security Bureau director Tsai Fu-lung stated that Gaode Map's red light countdown seconds are derived through user data analysis using AI algorithms, not from official government traffic signal systems. Map data is obtained through collaboration with a Dutch vendor, not collected by Gaode itself.
Tsai Fu-lung noted that under Chinese law, the Chinese government has authority to access enterprise data, and location tracking and movement trajectory data collected by the app are transmitted to Chinese servers where the government can collect and use them.
Reported impact
Taiwan's Cyber Security Bureau urged the public to avoid using Gaode Map in Taiwan, citing concerns about sensitive personal location data and digital trajectory leakage.
Index analysis
The Cyber Security Bureau announced it would conduct security testing on the app, with results to be published in mid-May 2026.
Governance controls
Taiwan has had a policy since 2019 restricting use of products with cybersecurity risks in government agencies. The Ministry of Interior stated that public agencies should not use Gaode Map.
The Executive Yuan spokesperson stated that relevant software would undergo security testing and risk assessment by competent authorities.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
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