The appointment of a young ‘Internet genius’ and hacker to Tsai Ing-wen’s cabinet has created high expectations in Taiwan.
The News Lens
Date: 2016/08/26
By: ZiQing Low
The Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) administration has appointed hacker and tech expert Audrey Tang (唐鳳)
Photo Credit: Democratic Cities: Interview with Audrey Tang 影片截圖
as a minister without portfolio with responsibility for the digital economy and open government.
The 35-year-old will be the youngest minister in Tsai’s cabinet. She takes office on Oct. 1.
Tang, a programmer, confirmed her appointment on Facebook, saying she hopes to become a “civil servant for civil servants,” using her expertise in digital systems and technology to solve problems within the public service sector and increase government cooperation with the digital community.
She said her appointment was not intended to provide certain groups with an insider, or for her to advocate online on the government’s behalf. Instead, she wants to be a channel for the combination of intellect and power. [FULL STORY]