30 minutes without Internet: Taiwan's emergency drills

Taiwan has conducted its annual civil defense exercise, known as Wan An, during which citizens were temporarily cut off from internet access for 30 minutes. The move was part of preparations for potential emergencies, including cyberattacks or military threats from mainland China. During the exercise, mobile network speeds were reduced to just one percent, effectively limiting access to online services while still allowing basic phone calls and text messages. This simulation aimed to help residents adapt to scenarios where digital infrastructure could be disrupted. The exercise took place on August 10 and 13, with tests carried out in 14 regions across the island. Participants were instructed to take screenshots of city maps before the disruption began, enabling them to navigate to nearby air raid shelters without relying on digital navigation tools. The drills were designed to reinforce preparedness in case of hybrid threats, cyberattacks combined with physical disruptions, that could compromise both communication and mobility. These exercises are part of broader efforts to ensure public resilience against potential conflicts, particularly given the ongoing tensions between Taiwan and China. In addition to the civilian drills, the Taiwanese military conducted its annual Han-Kuang-Manöver, focusing on maintaining operational readiness under simulated wartime conditions. Defense Minister Wellington Koo emphasized the importance of testing how well the armed forces can manage communications and implement backup plans during crises. He noted that these exercises are especially relevant in light of “gray zone attacks,” which operate in the ambiguous space between peace and open warfare. Such tactics often involve cyber operations coordinated with military maneuvers to destabilize an adversary’s systems without crossing into direct conflict. China's alleged cyber activities have been a growing concern for Taiwan. According to official reports, the People's Republic of China launched approximately 2.6 million cyberattacks per day last year, some of which coincided with military exercises. These actions are viewed as attempts to disrupt critical infrastructure and weaken Taiwan’s ability to respond swiftly to external pressures. While the exact nature and scale of these threats remain classified, the government has consistently warned of their potential impact on national security. Public reaction to the exercise has been mixed. Some citizens expressed frustration over the temporary loss of internet access, estimating the economic cost of the disruption to range between 500 million and 3 billion New Taiwan dollars (approximately 13 to 81 million euros). Opposition leader Lai Shyh-bao, representing the Kuomintang party, questioned whether such costs were justified, noting that while the amount was relatively small, the inconvenience affected many individuals. Others, however, supported the initiative as a necessary step toward enhancing cybersecurity and disaster preparedness. The government has not announced plans to compensate citizens for the lost time online, despite questions raised by media outlets such as the Liberty Times. Officials have maintained that the exercise serves a strategic purpose, reinforcing societal resilience in the face of evolving security challenges. As the exercise concluded, officials emphasized that similar drills would continue in future years, reflecting the ongoing prioritization of preparedness amid heightened geopolitical risks.