Dr. Jiun-Yu Wen, Director General, Dept. of Planning of National Communications Commission (NCC) with NCC colleagues, Communications Regulatory Authority of the Republic of Lithuania (CRA), the Radio and Television Commission of Lithuania (RTCL) and Office of the Inspector of Journalist Ethnics held a telecommunications regulation video conference to discuss disinformation and scam calls on October 25th, 2023. This was the first time the peer regulators had held such talks. After giving brief introductions to their respective missions and authority, both sides exchanged opinions on issues concerning policies and experience pertaining to disinformation, and prevention measures against telecommunication scams.

With regards to dealing with disinformation, NCC outlined how Taiwan has implemented measures and policies emphasizing accountability and governs adhering to the spirit of three disciplines. It was also noted that training seminars empowering media and civil society frequently take place. The Executive Yuan has also established policies in response to disinformation online, instructing each authority to implement their powers and responsibilities in accordance with regulations, and establishing a website to clarify facts and quickly respond to cases pertaining to disinformation. Various organizations have also been established by the private sector to check disinformation.

As for the Lithuanian side, RTCL explained how the Law on Provision of Information to the Public stipulates radio and broadcast programs are prohibited from disseminating certain content, including disinformation and war propaganda, and how such segments are removed. RTCL also cooperates with major platforms like Google and Meta to combat disinformation. Since the beginning of the Russian-Ukrainian war, RTCL has aligned with the European Commission’s decision to block certain IPs and ban some internet service providers with view to removing Russian political propaganda. The Office of the Inspector of Journalist Ethnics also supervises the information disseminated by traditional and online media, news websites, and prohibits or removes content in line with the Law on Provision of Information to the Public.

With view to preventing telecommunication scam calls, NCC coordinates with operators to block scam calls on the telecommunication networks, and combats fraudulent activities through inter-agency cooperation and public-private collaboration. Prevention measures include blocking fake incoming calls from overseas, adding voice warnings for international incoming calls, setting keyword blocking conditions and AI technology analysis to block scam SMSs, and stop parsing links by malicious SMSs.

The CRA shared their anti-fraud measures focusing on DNS firewalls, SMSs and calls. For example, Lithuania prevents civil society from accessing malicious websites through the DNS firewall established by the National Cyber Security Center. Scam SMSs are prevented by controlling the source of sending messages. Incoming calls can be recognized as scam by determining specific incoming call numbers.

This was the first meeting between NCC and the Lithuanian telecommunication regulators. Both parties agreed that this meeting was fruitful in facilitating the understanding for each other's policies and views and look forward to enabling more regular exchanges, even by visiting delegations to enhance bilateral ties and cooperation.