Taipei: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) announced on Tuesday that it is taking proactive measures to fortify the security of its official document management system. This decision comes in the wake of accusations of negligence following several suspected leaks of official documents in 2024 and 2025.
According to Focus Taiwan, MOFA spokesman Hsiao Kuangwei stated that the ministry is diligently reviewing its electronic document management protocols and enhancing system security. This initiative follows the discovery of suspected leaks of official documents over the past two years. MOFA has implemented measures to counteract hacking activities and is committed to continually improving its cybersecurity protections and monitoring operations, collaborating with other government agencies to tackle new hacking techniques.
Hsiao's comments were in response to a Control Yuan investigative report released on June 26, which revealed that 13 suspected MOFA documents had been leaked and offered for sale on the dark web during 2024 and 2025. The report criticized MOFA's previous responses, pointing out that even after becoming aware of the alleged leaks in 2024, the ministry failed to prevent further leaks in 2025.
The Control Yuan report stated, "It is evident that MOFA has indeed been negligent in its information and communications security protections and the safeguarding of official confidential information. A review and improvements are urgently required to prevent such incidents from recurring."
Among the alleged leaked documents was one concerning then-Vice President-elect Hsiao Bi-khim's customs declarations for alcoholic beverages upon her return to Taiwan from the United States. Another document assessed Taiwan's diplomatic ties with its remaining allies, as detailed in the Control Yuan report.
While prosecutors continue to investigate the alleged leaks, the report noted that portions of the suspected leaked documents found online bore a striking resemblance to authentic documents obtained by the Control Yuan. The report suggested that the repeated leaks could potentially be the work of state-sponsored Chinese hackers, given the involvement of confidential foreign affairs information. However, it also acknowledged that the carelessness of public servants and illegal copying of some documents may have played a role.
Hsiao did not specify whether or how MOFA is addressing potential issues related to the human handling of documents.