Taiwan is willing and able to share the country’s experience in pandemic-containing digital tools and is also committed to maintaining telecommunications in the face of disinformation challenges, according to Minister of Digital Affairs Audrey Tang Sept. 29.
Tang made the remarks from Taipei City while participating via video link in a meeting held by the European Parliament’s ING2 Special Committee. Established in March, the new special committee follows up on the report from the Special Committee on Foreign Interference in all Democratic Process in the EU, including Disinformation (INGE).
According to Tang, the pandemic has put enormous pressure on democratic systems, but capitalization on civic tech communities’ innovation is an effective solution, such as the contact-tracing system launched last year. Faced with the dilemma of human rights issues relating to city lockdowns, digital democracy is the most effective solution, she added.
Civic groups such as Cofacts can help fight disinformation. This information factchecking platform operates through crowd collaboration and chatbots by careful review and public discussion, she added.
On lessons learned from Ukraine, Tang said it is of paramount importance to maintain Internet function when a natural disaster or war occurs. To this end, the moda launched a telecommunication network resilience plan earlier this month.
This ensures if fixed and mobile networks or submarine cables are damaged, information still can be transmitted at home and abroad via non-geostationary orbit satellites including video conferences, Internet phones and live broadcast systems, she said.
According to the moda, Tang’s speech follows from the INGE delegation’s visit to Taiwan last November. During the group members’ stay in Taiwan, they met with Tang and expressed the wish to continue exchanges. (YCH-E)
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