The Week
Date: August 23, 2020
By: Jessica Yarmosky

Taiwan's digital minister, Audrey Tang, is reshaping ideas about what government officials can do.

Tang, a free software programmer, was Taiwan's youngest-ever minister when she took the position at age 35 in 2016. She's also the first openly transgender member of a Taiwanese cabinet.

As the government's digital minister, Tang helps develop digital tools that connect citizens with government officials and vice versa. She's now helping Taiwan navigate the coronavirus pandemic through civic technology. Taiwan has harnessed digital platforms to keep the public updated about medical supply availability and to monitor the status of quarantining citizens.

Taiwan has kept its COVID-19 numbers low compared to other countries: It has seen fewer than 500 cases and seven deaths. Much of that success has been attributed to Taiwan's approach to technology.    [FULL  STORY]