Digital Rights Activists in Taiwan Driven by Memory and Threat of Authoritarianism
Feb 23, 2025
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Liu I-Chen, Kuan-Ju Chou, and Grace Huang are prominent advocates for digital rights in Taiwan. They discuss the urgent need for data protection legislation amid rising authoritarian threats. The trio highlights grassroots movements pushing for a digital Bill of Rights and the role of civil society in maintaining Taiwan's democratic values. They explore how cybersecurity challenges, especially from China, are shaping their fight for freedom of expression. Insights from the RightsCon summit reveal Taiwan's position as a beacon of online liberty in Asia.
Taiwan is urgently working to establish a Data Protection Authority to address significant gaps in privacy protections and health data rights.
The resilience of Taiwan's civil society plays a crucial role in combating digital threats and ensuring democratic accountability against authoritarian pressures.
Deep dives
Data Protection Legislation in Taiwan
Taiwan is facing an important deadline to establish a Data Protection Authority by August, following a 2022 Constitutional Court judgment. Currently, an independent data protection authority does not exist, which presents a significant gap in the nation’s privacy protections. Advocacy groups are calling for legislation that ensures robust data protection rights, particularly in relation to health data and informed consent. The overarching goal is to ensure that the legislative framework respects patient rights and provides effective oversight of data use by both public and private sectors.
Resilience Against Digital Threats
Taiwan confronts various digital threats, notably from Chinese state-sponsored cyber operations and disinformation campaigns. This year marks the 11th consecutive year Taiwan has been identified as the most affected by disinformation according to the VDEM Institute, with an alarming frequency of 2.4 million cyber attacks daily. Despite these challenges, Taiwan exhibits remarkable collective resilience, creating strategies to counter these threats while also upholding human rights. The ongoing civil society efforts illuminate the community's commitment to digital freedom amidst external pressures.
Complexities of Democratic Advancement
While Taiwan is often portrayed as a model democracy, civil society leaders emphasize the ongoing struggles and complexities within its political landscape. They argue that while there have been significant advancements since exiting authoritarianism, many systemic issues remain unresolved, including political power dynamics. The portrayal of Taiwan as an idealized democracy risks oversimplifying its reality and hindering the pursuit of true democratic progress. Advocacy groups stress the importance of recognizing these challenges as they continue to engage in reformative work within the society.
Civic Participation in Cybersecurity Policy
Taiwan's approach to cybersecurity is characterized by active civic participation and collaboration between civil society and government entities. The success of grassroots initiatives, such as civic tech communities, demonstrates the ability to mobilize resources and knowledge to counter cybersecurity threats without resorting to state control. This contrasts sharply with the Chinese model that emphasizes governmental authority over digital governance. As recent protests have shown, the public is empowered to advocate for accountability, further solidifying the essential role of civil society in Taiwan's democratic process.
This week, RightsCon, which bills itself as "the world’s leading summit on human rights in the digital age," descends on Taipei.To better understand the dynamics in the civil society community working on digital rights and tech policy matters in Taiwan, Justin Hendrix spoke to three experts:
Liu I-Chen (劉以正), Asia Program Officer at ARTICLE 19
Kuan-Ju Chou (周冠汝), Deputy Secretary-General of the Taiwan Association for Human Rights
Grace Huang (黃寬心), Director for Global Justice and Digital Freedom at Judicial Reform Foundation
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