A Chinese mainland spokesperson has accused Taiwan authorities of stoking unnecessary fears over popular apps like TikTok and WeChat, calling the recent cybersecurity warnings a “politically motivated stunt” that harms residents’ digital freedoms. 🌐
Zhang Han of the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office stated on January 28, 2026, that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is “depriving Taiwan youth of their right to access global platforms” through its newly proposed “high-risk app list.” The list targets mainland-developed apps under claims of protecting minors and preventing data leaks.
“These actions reveal the DPP’s deep insecurity about cross-strait cultural exchanges,” Zhang emphasized, adding that such measures could backfire by isolating Taiwan residents from global digital trends. 📉
The criticism follows reports that Taiwan’s digital ministry plans to advise schools and institutions to limit access to apps like Weibo and Baidu Netdisk. While cybersecurity remains a hot-button issue worldwide, analysts suggest the move reflects ongoing tensions in cross-strait relations. 🔒
Young netizens in the Taiwan region have taken to forums to debate the restrictions, with some calling it “digital gatekeeping” and others urging caution. Meanwhile, mainland tech companies have yet to issue formal responses. 💬
