Launch and official rationale

The NSB said the initiative would help broaden its "diverse intelligence sources" . The bureau noted that an "increasing number" of people have approached agencies in Taiwan "wishing to provide various types of information" . The promotional materials specifically reference discontent on the mainland over the economy, political repression, and social problems as a basis for encouraging informants .

Stated model and security guidelines

Taiwan's intelligence agency explicitly stated the initiative is modeled on similar practices used by intelligence agencies in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Israel .

To ensure that prospective informants can safely and securely contact the NSB, the site includes six security guidelines:

• Using non-Chinese-brand mobile phones or tablets
• Restoring devices to factory settings
• Connecting to Wi-Fi networks that do not require real-name authentication
• Using VPNs and Western-developed browsers
• Browsing in incognito/private mode

The promotional video

To promote the portal, the NSB released a one-minute AI-generated video titled "Change" depicting a Chinese civil servant watching colleagues being investigated and removed — intended to evoke "a pervasive atmosphere in which everyone is on edge under China's totalitarian regime" .

Debate and controversy

The launch has generated significant controversy:

• Beijing's backlash: China condemned the portal as an official call for espionage and infiltration. The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) had to defend the site against these accusations .
• Skepticism among opposition lawmakers: Opposition legislators in Taiwan questioned whether the platform would be workable or effective .
• Disinformation concerns: Critics warned that the portal could be flooded with false reports, making disinformation a major challenge .
• Risk to informants: The NSB did not answer questions about the severe penalties Chinese nationals face — including long prison sentences — if caught sharing intelligence with Taiwan .
• Cautious optimism from Chinese dissidents: Some Chinese dissidents expressed cautious hope that the initiative could generate valuable information, while also noting it could heighten Beijing's concerns about political loyalty inside China .

Launch and official rationale

The NSB said the initiative would help broaden its "diverse intelligence sources" . The bureau noted that an "increasing number" of people have approached agencies in Taiwan "wishing to provide various types of information" . The promotional materials specifically reference discontent on the mainland over the economy, political repression, and social problems as a basis for encouraging informants .

Stated model and security guidelines

Taiwan's intelligence agency explicitly stated the initiative is modeled on similar practices used by intelligence agencies in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Israel .

To ensure that prospective informants can safely and securely contact the NSB, the site includes six security guidelines:

• Using non-Chinese-brand mobile phones or tablets
• Restoring devices to factory settings
• Connecting to Wi-Fi networks that do not require real-name authentication
• Using VPNs and Western-developed browsers
• Browsing in incognito/private mode

The promotional video

To promote the portal, the NSB released a one-minute AI-generated video titled "Change" depicting a Chinese civil servant watching colleagues being investigated and removed — intended to evoke "a pervasive atmosphere in which everyone is on edge under China's totalitarian regime" .

Debate and controversy

The launch has generated significant controversy:

• Beijing's backlash: China condemned the portal as an official call for espionage and infiltration. The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) had to defend the site against these accusations .
• Skepticism among opposition lawmakers: Opposition legislators in Taiwan questioned whether the platform would be workable or effective .
• Disinformation concerns: Critics warned that the portal could be flooded with false reports, making disinformation a major challenge .
• Risk to informants: The NSB did not answer questions about the severe penalties Chinese nationals face — including long prison sentences — if caught sharing intelligence with Taiwan .
• Cautious optimism from Chinese dissidents: Some Chinese dissidents expressed cautious hope that the initiative could generate valuable information, while also noting it could heighten Beijing's concerns about political loyalty inside China .