The “Xiaohongshu” app has over 3 million users in Taiwan and has been temporarily blocked for a year by the Ministry of the Interior due to high fraud risks and non-compliance with cybersecurity standards. Presidential spokesperson Guo Yahui stated that the app failed to cooperate with the government in investigating fraud cases, and the Presidential Office respects the decision of the Ministry of the Interior.
According to the Criminal Investigation Bureau of the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of China, the Xiaohongshu app failed all 15 cybersecurity indicators in the inspection conducted by the National Security Bureau. Since 2024, it has been involved in 1,706 fraud cases, resulting in financial losses exceeding NT$247.68 million. The Ministry of the Interior has issued orders to suspend internet access and limit access to the app for a provisional period of one year.
Guo Yahui, the spokesperson for the Presidential Office of the Republic of China, accompanied President Lai Ching-te to the opening ceremony of the 23rd Asia-Pacific Nephrology Congress and the 114th Annual Meeting of the Taiwan Nephrology Society. She also participated in media interviews during the event.
Guo Yahui mentioned that the Ministry of the Interior promptly informed and explained to the public that the main reasons for the app’s suspension were the app’s failure to cooperate with the government in investigating fraud cases and its lack of compliance with certain cybersecurity standards. The Presidential Office respects the decision of the Ministry of the Interior and expressed its support.
Regarding criticisms from opposition parties about the focus only on Xiaohongshu, Minister of the Interior Liu Shifang stated during a media interview at the Legislative Yuan that Taiwan operates under the rule of law. Platforms like Facebook and LINE comply with Taiwan’s regulations, have legal representatives in Taiwan, and communicate with the government for fraud prevention business. They remove accounts related to fraud as requested by the Anti-Fraud Command Center. The government’s handling of Xiaohongshu is not politically motivated. Anyone doing business in Taiwan should comply with relevant regulations.
Liu Shifang explained that the government is taking action against Xiaohongshu under Article 42 of the Anti-Fraud Criminal Hazard Prevention Act, which may lead to differing opinions. However, the law clearly sets out provisions allowing judicial authorities to restrict access. She pointed out that despite numerous attempts to contact Xiaohongshu, the app lacks a legal representative in Taiwan and does not respond to messages, undermining the government’s efforts to combat fraud – hence not worthy of Taiwan’s support.
Additionally, media reports have highlighted the Chinese Communist Party’s deployment of a large number of naval and coast guard vessels in the waters of East Asia, with the number reaching over a hundred, marking the largest scale deployment ever. In response, Guo Yahui stated that the CCP’s military actions are not limited to the Indo-Pacific region but have implications throughout the entire Western Pacific.
She emphasized that President Lai has instructed the Ministry of National Defense and relevant security agencies to continuously monitor and report promptly, ensuring national security. She called on the CCP to exercise restraint and fulfill its responsibilities as a major power, while Taiwan will continue to cooperate with allies to maintain peace, stability, and security.