Taiwan lawmakers demand EZ WAY app privacy answers from finance officials

Taiwanese lawmakers are demanding the Ministry of Finance and the Customs Administration clarify privacy concerns over the EZ WAY app, a real-name authentication tool used by over 7 million online shoppers. The demand follows revelations that the app is operated by a private company. Democratic Progressive Party legislator Chiu Yi-ying stated that EZ WAY collects highly identifiable personal data, including names, ID numbers, and phone numbers. She called for a higher standard of scrutiny, asking officials to explain how data is collected, how long it is stored, who can access it, and whether it can be used for other purposes. The controversy began when legislator Lin Tai-hua exposed the app's private operation, raising questions about transparency in data collection, usage, and fees. Chiu acknowledged the app's convenience and its role in reducing paper document risks, but stressed that stronger government oversight is necessary as the system holds millions of users' data.