Taiwan eyes stronger online security for kids

Following an online scandal involving a nine-year-old girl, Taiwan's National Communications Commission (NCC) is pushing for a body to strengthen online security for children and young adults. NCC Communication Content head Jason Ho is eyeing a similar setup as the United Kingdom's Internet Watch Foundation, Taiwan's Central News Agency reported. Ho urged lawmakers pass a draft amendment to the Children and Youth Welfare Act to pave the way for such an organization, the CNA reported. The amendment is needed soonest so the NCC can set up a mechanism to monitor online activity and report violations, he said. Also, he noted a "doorkeeper" software costing NT$90 per month could also be used to filter inappropriate sites. According to the CNA report, the issue surfaced after Taiwan's "Apple Daily" reported a nine-year-old girl accessed a "compensated dating" website. The girl eventually gave oral sex to a 16-year-old boy through the website, where women are offered money for dates or sex. In the meantime, Ministry of the Interior and the Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) officials said they are taking measures to protect children online. Deputy Interior Minister Tseng Chung-ming said police are looking into some 20 websites suspected of carrying illegal content and serving as channels for "compensated dating." CIB Deputy Commissioner Liu Po-liang added website managers could face a five-year sentence and possibly an additional fine of up to NT$1 million (US$34,596), for running illegal content on their sites. — TJD, GMA News