Government agency MODA planning to introduce 'blue shield' accounts for public officials to combat fraudulent activities.
Taiwan Introduces Authentication System for Government Officials on Line Messaging App
In a bid to combat fraud and misinformation, the Ministry of Digital Affairs (MODA) in Taiwan is collaborating with the messaging app Line to develop an account authentication system for government officials.
At a news conference in Taipei, Deputy Minister of Digital Affairs Lin Yi-jing announced this initiative. The new system aims to help the public distinguish genuine accounts from fraudulent ones, particularly those impersonating local government officials or social workers.
Under this system, a unified "blue shield" badge will be displayed next to an official's account name on their Line profile page. The account name will follow a specific format, displaying the official's agency, followed by their title and then their name. For example, "Tainan City Government Social Affairs Bureau Social Worker Wang Hsiao-ming."
Accounts showing a gray shield or no badge are unverified and not government-affiliated. If a government official wants to apply for a 'blue shield' account, the application must be submitted through MODA and the applicant's identity will be verified.
The problem of fraud on Line, particularly by scammers impersonating officials, has been a concern for the Ministry of Digital Affairs. About 23 percent of the recorded cases were confirmed to be impersonations, mainly related to healthcare, police, and social welfare. In one county, 310 cases of suspected fake government Line accounts were recorded.
Scammers often use these fake accounts to spread false information, adding to the concerns. The new system is expected to address these issues, starting with a rollout in Taiwan's six special municipalities.
Line, which is the most widely used messaging app in Taiwan, will also set up a separate verification mechanism to cross-check application data with MODA. The information displayed on Line will remain in traditional Chinese.
Preparations for the launch of the system are still underway. The search results do not provide information about which government agency in Taiwan is responsible for regulating the issuance of the "blue shield" mark for government officials' Line accounts. However, the Ministry of Digital Affairs will establish a system to authorize agencies to apply for "blue shield" accounts.
The new authentication system is a significant step towards enhancing transparency and trust in online communications between the public and government officials in Taiwan.
