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Taiwan warns of surge in Chinese cyberattacks and “online troll army”

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Taiwan’s National Security Bureau (NSB) has reported a 17% rise in Chinese cyberattacks targeting its government systems so far in 2025, amounting to an average of 2.8 million attacks per day. The agency warned that Beijing is deploying an “online troll army” to amplify disinformation and undermine public trust in the island’s institutions.

The NSB report, presented to parliament, described these as systemic cyberattacks focusing on key sectors such as defence, telecommunications, energy, and healthcare. Beyond espionage, the operations reportedly use the dark web, internet forums, and social media to spread fabricated content and erode public confidence in Taiwan’s cybersecurity capabilities.

Taiwan’s authorities accuse China of using “grey-zone” tactics — hybrid measures that combine military drills, cyber intrusions, and propaganda — to pressure the island into accepting Beijing’s sovereignty claims. China’s Taiwan Affairs Office declined to comment, though Beijing has repeatedly denied involvement in hacking and instead claims it is a victim of Taiwanese cyber operations.

The report also flagged more than 10,000 suspicious social media accounts, mostly on Facebook, that collectively spread over 1.5 million pieces of disinformation. These campaigns reportedly promote pro-China narratives, attack Taiwan’s leadership, and attempt to sow distrust toward the United States, Taipei’s key ally and arms supplier.

According to the NSB, AI-generated memes and targeted digital propaganda have become central tools in China’s information warfare strategy ahead of Taiwan’s elections and trade talks with Washington.

Chinese Cyberattacks on Taiwan Government Surge in 2024, Report Reveals

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Cyberattacks on Taiwan’s government doubled in 2024, with an average of 2.4 million attacks per day, according to a report from Taiwan’s National Security Bureau. The majority of these cyberattacks were attributed to Chinese cyber forces, marking a significant increase from the previous year, which saw 1.2 million daily attacks.

These attacks are part of what Taiwan sees as China’s ongoing “grey-zone harassment” campaign, which includes daily military drills, surveillance balloons, and escalating cyberattacks. These actions coincide with China’s growing political and military pressure on Taiwan to accept its sovereignty claim. The Government Service Network (GSN), a key Taiwanese infrastructure, was one of the primary targets of these cyberattacks, with sectors like telecommunications, transportation, and defense being particularly targeted.

Despite many of the attacks being effectively blocked, the report highlights the increasingly severe nature of China’s cyber activities. Some of the attacks were timed to coincide with Chinese military drills around Taiwan, including distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks aimed at disrupting access to Taiwan’s transportation and financial institutions. The purpose of these attacks was seen as part of a broader strategy to intimidate Taiwan through military and cyber harassment.

The report also detailed efforts by China’s cyber forces to exploit advanced persistent threats and backdoor software to infiltrate Taiwan’s critical infrastructure, including highways and ports. These tactics aim to disrupt government operations and gain strategic advantages in various sectors, including politics, military, technology, and the economy.

China has repeatedly denied involvement in cyberattacks but has been frequently accused by foreign governments, including the U.S., of cyber espionage. Taiwan’s report pointed out that China’s cyberattacks included efforts to steal sensitive information from Taiwanese civil servants’ emails and involved social engineering tactics.