🇹🇼 Taiwan Signal-Power Analysis High Escalation Risk

Signal-Power Corruption Networks

Cross-strait tensions amplify telecom vulnerabilities, influence ops, and data-broker misuse. This dossier highlights Taiwan’s frontline role in information warfare and democratic defense.

35+
Entities Mapped
90+
Connections
2008–2025
Timeline Scope
Critical

🎯 Cross-Strait Cyber/Signal Intrusion

PRC-linked APTs and telecom infiltrations target critical infrastructure and political communications. Vendors and state-linked proxies blur accountability.

APT Groups (e.g., APT41)
State-Linked Operators
Risks: telecom backbone access, spyware payloads, targeting civil society and journalists.
Critical

📡 Telecom Signaling Weakness

SS7/Diameter exposure, plus cable landing stations vulnerable to tampering or sabotage. Rerouting during crises threatens communications sovereignty.

Chunghwa Telecom & Peers
National Carriers
Needs: interconnect firewalls, cable landing security, redundancy across undersea routes.
Moderate

📱 Mobile Data-Broker Risks

Commercial apps resell geolocation data; risk of PRC purchase through intermediaries. Potential for targeting of legislators, activists, and military personnel.

Critical

📺 Platform Manipulation & Influence Ops

Coordinated inauthentic behavior, news site cloning, and social botnets amplify narratives. Platform carve-outs delay takedowns in sensitive contexts.

Meta, Line, TikTok
Information Infrastructure
Risks: algorithmic distortion, covert ad purchases, foreign-linked narrative laundering.

🕸️ Influence & Surveillance Network

Legend: red=authorities, orange=vendors, teal=brokers, green=platforms, blue=telecom/programs

📅 Timeline (Taiwan)

2008–2016: Initial PRC Influence Operations

United front activities, early cyber probes, media co-option.

2018: Referendum Disinformation

Botnets and fake news shape voter perception.

2020–2022: Escalated Cyber Intrusions

Surges in telecom, energy, and government system attacks.

2023–2025: Grey-Zone Pressure

Coercive drills, cable cuts, online intimidation campaigns.

⚡ Stop-Gap Actions

🛡️ Telecom Hardening
  1. Secure undersea cables & landing stations with redundant routing.
  2. Mandate signaling firewalls & anomaly detection.
  3. Cross-train CERT-TW with EU/NATO partners.
📱 Data Broker Embargo
  1. Ban sensitive geolocation exports to foreign-linked entities.
  2. Mandatory broker registry and real-time purchase disclosures.
📺 Platform Transparency
  1. Require real-time disclosure of political ad buyers.
  2. Independent audits of algorithms during election periods.