Taiwan Reports Spike In Cyberattacks From China, Warns Of 'Online Troll Troops' Threat

JAKARTA The Taiwanese government reported a significant increase in cyber attacks that are thought to have originated in China throughout 2025. According to the latest data from the National Security Bureau (NSB), attacks on Taiwan's government networks increased 17 percent compared to the previous year, with an average of 2.8 million attacks per day.

In a report submitted to parliament, NSB warned that Beijing is now operating a so-called online troll troops' aimed at spreading divisions in Taiwanese society through the spread of false information and manipulation of public opinion.

Taiwan has so far accused China of using grey-zone'' tactics for non-military strategies such as routine military exercises, political pressure, and cyber attacks to weaken the democratically-ruled island. Beijing continues to increase pressure to force Taiwan to accept China's claim to sovereignty.

Based on the NSB report, Taiwan's Government Service Network received an average of 2.8 million attacks daily by 2025, up from 2.4 million attacks per day by 2024. The main targets of the attack included the medical, defense, telecommunications and energy sectors.

"In addition to intelligence data theft, this operation also utilizes dark webs, internet forums, and media channels to spread false content, with the aim of eroding public confidence in the government's cyber defense capabilities," the report said.

China has not yet provided an official response to this report. So far, Beijing has routinely denied involvement in hacking activities, although it is often accused by various foreign governments.

Instead, China accused Taiwan of carrying out cyber operations against them, even last Saturday Beijing announced gifts for 18 people known as Taiwanese military psychological operations officers who spread separatist messages.

In its report, Taiwan also revealed that it had detected more than 10,000 abnormal social media accounts, including many on Facebook, which spread more than 1.5 million disinformation messages.

The National Security Bureau said China used state media and online troll troops to spread pro-Beijing narratives, attack Taiwanese governments, and instill distrust of the United States' main allies and largest arms suppliers to Taiwan.

This step aims to deepen internal divisions in Taiwan, wrote the report. It was also mentioned that China is utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) technology to create meme-style content targeting sensitive issues such as Taiwan's elections and negotiating tariffs with the United States.

The abnormal accounts then strengthen the narratives in Taiwan's digital space to shape public perceptions.

The Taiwanese government firmly rejects China's claim to sovereignty over the island, and insists it will continue to strengthen its cyber defense and national information security amid rising digital threats from Beijing.