Taiwan security bureau reports rise in cyberattacks and disputed posts before local elections
Taiwan’s National Security Bureau reported more disputed online posts and heavy cyberattacks in the first nine months of 2026, warning that some activity could be preparation for interference in November’s local elections.
Taiwan’s National Security Bureau reported a rise in disputed online posts and cyberattacks in a report submitted to lawmakers on October 20, warning that the activity could be preparation for interference in the island’s November 28 local elections. The warning concerns elections for city mayors and county magistrates; the bureau described a possible purpose, not a confirmed election outcome.
The bureau said suspicious social media accounts produced 2.5 million posts containing controversial or disputed information from January through September 2026, up 48% from 1.69 million in the same period last year. Reuters reported that, according to the bureau, the content focused on energy, food security and defence policy, as well as particular candidates and their positions. Those subjects put public policy and voters’ views of candidates at the centre of the bureau’s concern.
How the bureau says the online activity spread
The bureau described content farms, AI-generated video and audio, fake polls and reports, and coordinated comments on forums and other websites, according to the Taipei Times. It said Facebook accounted for 68.9% of the disputed content from suspicious accounts and Threads for 9%. The figures describe the accounts and material identified by the bureau; they do not establish who controlled every account or created every post.
Cyberattacks rose before the November 28 vote
Cyberattacks on Taiwan’s Government Service Network averaged 2.58 million a day over the first nine months of 2026, the bureau said. Detected threats increased from June, reaching 185.6 million in July and 106.4 million in August, Reuters reported. The bureau said it could not rule out advance intelligence gathering and harassment aimed at interfering in the year-end elections; it did not establish that as the purpose of those attacks.
The bureau also said Chinese hackers targeted academic institutions, telecommunications and defence industry supply chains during the first half of the year. Its report to the Legislative Yuan was scheduled for discussion on October 22, according to the Taipei Times. The November 28 vote gives the agency’s warning a near-term political context as officials assess activity on government networks and social platforms.
Beijing claims Taiwan as its territory, a claim Taipei rejects. Reuters reported that China’s Taiwan Affairs Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the bureau’s findings. Beijing has previously denied interfering in Taiwanese elections or spreading disinformation.
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Sources and context
- Taiwan says China cyberattacks, disinformation up ahead of local electionsAgence France-Presse, republished by Hong Kong Free Press
- Taiwan security agency flags rise in Chinese disinformation ahead of local electionsReuters, republished by The Straits Times
- China ramps up cyberattacks for potential election meddling: officialsTaipei Times
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.