Lawmaker Worries Commercial Maps Expose Military Bases; Digital Ministry to Coordinate with Providers

(CNA, Taipei, 22nd) DPP lawmaker Lin Chun-hsien stated today that many of Taiwan's military bases and ammunition depots are exposed on commercial satellite mapping platforms like Google Maps without any blurring or masking, potentially creating a national security loophole. He called on the government to address this immediately. Deputy Minister of Digital Affairs Hou Yi-hsiu, who attended the press conference, said that inter-agency coordination has been initiated and a consensus reached with the Ministry of National Defense. The ministry is inviting representatives from major international companies like Apple, Google, and Microsoft to a meeting this afternoon to establish an emergency contact channel. They will require these companies to cooperate with the Ministry of National Defense to review and adjust satellite imagery. Lin demonstrated that important military facilities like the Chiashan Base and the Leshan Radar Station are clearly identifiable. He urged the government to establish management mechanisms similar to those in South Korea and France. Hou stated that the MODA will continue to review map apps and ensure that services comply with Taiwan's national security and sensitive information protection regulations.