Taiwan Reports Surge in Chinese Cyberattacks, China Accused of Deploying ‘Online Troll Army’

• Attack volume: Taiwan's government networks are facing an average of 2.8 million cyberattacks per day so far in 2025, a 17% increase from 2024.
• Disinformation campaigns: China is accused of deploying an "online troll army" to disseminate fabricated content and sow discord within Taiwan.
• Primary targets: Key sectors, including medical systems, defense, telecommunications, and energy, are the primary targets of these systemic cyber operations.

Taiwan's National Security Bureau has reported a significant escalation in Chinese cyberattacks, with the average number of daily attacks on government departments rising by 17% this year. The data reveals that Taiwan's Government Service Network sustained an average of 2.8 million attacks per day, up from 2.4 million in the previous year. 

This intensification is part of what Taipei describes as Beijing's "grey-zone" warfare, which integrates cyber operations with military and political pressure.

Disinformation and Online Troll Operations

Beyond direct network intrusions, the report highlights a coordinated campaign of malign influence. Officials warned that Beijing is leveraging a sophisticated online troll army to erode public confidence and promote pro-China narratives. 

The bureau identified over 10,000 "abnormal" social media accounts, primarily on Facebook, that have amplified more than 1.5 million messages deemed to be disinformation, according to Reuters. 

These operations reportedly use artificial intelligence to generate targeted, meme-style content designed to exacerbate internal divisions on topics ranging from elections to international trade.

Implications for Taiwan Cybersecurity

The systemic nature of these cyber threats places immense pressure on the Taiwan cybersecurity infrastructure. The National Security Bureau noted that critical sectors such as defense, energy, and telecommunications are high-priority targets for intelligence theft and potential disruption. 

The operations often integrate dark web channels and online forums to spread fabricated content, aiming to undermine public trust in the government's ability to defend its digital borders. 

While China routinely denies involvement in state-sponsored hacking, these activities continue to be a primary national security concern for Taiwan.

In May, Meta announced it disrupted major influence operations targeting Romania, Azerbaijan, and Taiwan via Facebook and TikTok.

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