Line is currently the most popular messaging app in Taiwan, according to a June survey conducted by the Foreseeing Innovative New Digiservices unit at the Institute for Information Industry. The number of registered Line users in the nation is estimated at over 17 million, out of a population of about 23 million.
Both the KMT and DPP submitted applications for official accounts to the service operator about six months ago, but due to the app’s policy of non-accepture of political accounts, they were not approved until recently.
“Our official Line account will serve as an instant communications channel going forward, providing a platform for the party to engage in direct dialogue with the younger generation,” the KMT said.
Named the Mobile Committee, the official KMT Line account will broadcast updates on the party and its electoral campaigns. The DPP is expected to take the same tack.
Neither party is a stranger to social networking. In the 2012 presidential race, incumbent Ma Ying-jeou of the KMT and DPP candidate Tsai Ing-wen set up Facebook accounts to better reach the Internet generation.
With the forays into mobile networking, both parties expect to find new ways of interacting with their supporters. But they are still restricted in the use of Line stickers, one of the app’s most popular features. The operator has not disclosed when the functionality will be unlocked for political accounts. (YHC-SDH)
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