exposing the public to great risks: KMT Legislator Ko Ju-chun slams government's handling of digital ID fraud
Digital ID System of the Government Falters, as per KMT's Ko's Assessment
In a scathing criticism, Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Ko Ju-chun accused the government of mishandling cybersecurity issues, leaving the public vulnerable to massive risks. The unbridled misuse of Taiwan's digital ID system, particularly the Natural Person Certificate system, has been on the rise, he claimed.
Ko Ju-chun pointed out that the digital ID system is a central piece of e-governance, with about 8 million certificates issued and nearly half of them actively in use. However, the data provided by the Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) shows that four times as many bank accounts flagged as "watched" were opened using a Natural Person Certificate than through other identification methods.
This alarming trend suggests that scammers are likely exploiting the system by tricking people into divulging their personal information. With this stolen data, it's easy for fraudsters to apply for digital certificates and use them to open bank accounts.
The government's response to the crisis has been lackluster, Ko Ju-chun argued. Bizarre measures, like suggesting that people turn off digital messaging services or setting limits on fund transfers, have done little to stem the tide of cybercrime. Moreover, at least 17 banks – both state-owned and private – have suspended the use of the certificates as identification.
Ko Ju-chun questioned the trustworthiness of the government in light of this incompetence and its attempts to stifle opposition, such as the KMT, who are trying to provide oversight. He also criticized the government for failing to implement the Electronic Signature Act (電子簽章法) effectively. The Act stipulates cybersecurity measures like the Fast Identity Online standard, multifactor authentication, biometrics, and limiting operations to bound cellphones, but no action has been taken.
Amidst this chaos, two other significant cybersecurity incidents have come to light. Google has cast doubt on the reliability of Chunghwa Telecom as a certification authority, with Chrome soon issuing warnings when users visit government sites5. Furthermore, hacker group Dire Wolf claimed responsibility for a breach of Kiwi86's servers and is holding 20GB of the insurance system service provider's data ransom5.
In conclusion, Ko Ju-chun asserted that the public cannot trust the state-sponsored digital ID system, which jeopardizes the security of Taiwan's digital autonomy. He implored government agencies to stop making empty promises and focus on improving cybersecurity measures to make Taiwan a haven for digital technology developers, rather than a breeding ground for cybercriminals.
- The rise in digital ID fraud, as highlighted by KMT Legislator Ko Ju-chun, raises concerns about the government's handling of policy-and-legislation related to cybersecurity, leaving the public exposed to great risks in the realm of technology and general-news.
- In light of the misuse of Taiwan's digital ID system and the government's perceived incompetence in addressing this issue, Ko Ju-chun questioned the trustworthiness of the government and criticized its lack of action in implementing effective measures, including the Electronic Signature Act, which has the potential to improve cybersecurity.
- The recent cybersecurity incidents, such as Google questioning the reliability of Chunghwa Telecom and the hacker group Dire Wolf's breach of Kiwi86's servers, further underscore the need for a more robust approach to crime-and-justice in the digital realm, particularly in the context of Taiwan's e-governance and technology development.
