Information security experts yesterday expressed concern over the risk of personal data being leaked to China, after an app from a Chinese company that uses generative artificial intelligence (AI) went viral on social media in Taiwan.
After a user provides access to their social media accounts on services such as Instagram, X or LinkedIn, the AI-powered app Roast Master analyzes the user and generates sardonic comments about their MBTI personality type — referring to the personality assessment tool Myers-Briggs Type Indicator popular among younger people — weaknesses and strengths, and fortune predictions for the year.
Roast Master is offered as one of the services provided by the AI assistant Monica, but it was developed by a Chinese company of the same name, whose Chinese parent company is Butterfly Effect Pte.
Photo: Reuters
As a highlighted feature of Monica, Roast Master is touted as “the ultimate AI roast generator for Instagram, Facebook, Twitter [X]” and other social media despite Instagram and X being banned in China, indicating that the company is aimed at overseas markets.
Monica’s intention to enter the Taiwan market is also reflected in its numerous advertisements in Taiwan and the app’s language options, which include Traditional Chinese for Taiwan and Hong Kong.
While using the Web site as a stand-alone service would be less risky, as it reveals less information to the service provider, downloading and registering on the company’s app would allow it to track user behavior, preferences and even access private information, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology Taiwan Information Security Center director said Cha Shi-cho (查士朝) said.
The Chinese-developed AI assistant could also provide users with misleading information to manipulate their thinking, he said, adding that “it is fine to have fun, but the generated results should not be taken seriously.”
Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Puma Shen (沈伯洋) said that it is known that these apps could access personal data of their users such as contacts, location and social media accounts.
There are security risks when it comes to using services provided by Chinese companies or those with Chinese investments, as Chinese law enables the authorities to access their personal data, he said.
Deputy Minister of Digital Affairs Lin Yi-jing (林宜敬) said the ministry would step up efforts to raise the public’s awareness about the importance of information security.
Taiwan is a democracy with strong freedoms so the government should not impose strict regulations like authoritarian countries, he said.
Although AI-powered services present challenges to information security and freedom of speech, the government would only ban a product if it is proven to be a clear security concern, such as by recording voices or activating cameras without user consent, Lin said.
Cha said people should choose trustworthy companies when using online services and beware of security risks such as data leaks with unidentified service providers.
Some apps ask users to grant permissions that are not necessary for their functions, including access to microphones and cameras, so users should be aware they should not upload too much information which could reveal their identity, he added.
Eight restaurants in Taiwan yesterday secured a one-star rating from the Michelin Guide Taiwan for the first time, while three one-star restaurants from last year’s edition were promoted to two stars. Forty-three restaurants were awarded one star this year, including 34 in Taipei, five in Taichung and four in Kaohsiung. Hosu (好嶼), Chuan Ya (川雅), Sushi Kajin (鮨嘉仁), aMaze (心宴), La Vie by Thomas Buhner, Yuan Yi (元一) and Frassi in Taipei and Front House (方蒔) in Kaohsiung received a one-star rating for the first time. Hosu is known for innovative Taiwanese dishes, while Chuan Ya serves Sichuan cuisine and aMaze specializes
STATS: Taiwan’s average life expectancy of 80.77 years was lower than that of Japan, Singapore and South Korea, but higher than in China, Malaysia and Indonesia Taiwan’s average life expectancy last year increased to 80.77 years, but was still not back to its pre-COVID-19 pandemic peak of 81.32 years in 2020, the Ministry of the Interior said yesterday. The average life expectancy last year increased the 0.54 years from 2023, the ministry said in a statement. For men and women, the average life expectancy last year was 77.42 years and 84.30 years respectively, up 0.48 years and 0.56 years from the previous year. Taiwan’s average life expectancy peaked at 81.32 years in 2020, as the nation was relatively unaffected by the pandemic that year. The metric
Taitung County is to launch charter flights to Malaysia at the end of this year, after setting up flights to Vietnam and Thailand, the Taitung County Government said yesterday. The new charter flight services, provided by low-cost carrier Batik Air Malaysia, would be part of five-day tour packages for visits to Taitung County or Malaysia. The Batik Air charter flight, with about 200 seats, would take Malaysian tourists to Taitung on Dec. 30 and then at 12:35pm return to Kuala Lumpur with Taiwanese tourists. Another charter flight would bring the Taiwanese home on Jan. 3 next year, arriving at 5:30pm, before taking the
Taiwan High Speed Rail Corp. (THSRC) plans to ease strained capacity during peak hours by introducing new fare rules restricting passengers traveling without reserved seats in 2026, company Chairman Shih Che (史哲) said Wednesday. THSRC needs to tackle its capacity issue because there have been several occasions where passengers holding tickets with reserved seats did not make it onto their train in stations packed with individuals traveling without a reserved seat, Shih told reporters in a joint interview in Taipei. Non-reserved seats allow travelers maximum flexibility, but it has led to issues relating to quality of service and safety concerns, especially during