EMAG Technology could face a maximum fine of NT$1.2 million (US$39,056) for illegally importing an uncertified gaming smartphone into Taiwan, the National Communications Commission (NCC) said yesterday.
EMAG Technology, also known as MiClub, in March launched a fundraising plan on FlyingV — a Taipei-based fundraising platform — to import the RedMagic 8 Pro into the country.
A total of 1,022 people participated in the plan, which had accumulated more than NT$23 million.
Photo: Yang Mien-chieh, Taipei Times
The scheme last month came to the attention of the smartphone regulator after some gamers complained to local news media that they had yet to receive their orders.
Although some people received smartphones last week, they soon discovered that the smartphone would display the location as “Taiwan, China,” when a call was made or received.
The RedMagic 8 Pro has yet to be certified and verified as a safe radio frequency device, the commission yesterday said in a statement, adding that it would issue penalties according to the Telecommunications Management Act (電信管理法) after collecting evidence.
EMAG Technology could face a fine of up to NT$1 million for importing the gaming smartphone without securing approval from the NCC, the commission said.
It could face an additional fine of NT$200,000 for selling an uncertified and unverified smartphone, it added.
The fine would be finalized at the NCC commissioners’ meeting, it said.
NCC specialist Wang Chih-yuan (王智遠) told the Taipei Times that people can bring radio frequency devices into the country for personal use, but there is a limited number allowed per person and the device must have already been certified and verified by the NCC.
“From what we have seen so far, MiClub appeared to accept the funds from different individuals, import devices from overseas on their behalf and distribute devices to individuals who participated in the fundraising plan. In that case, they need to secure a permit for import first,” he said.
The NCC has yet to receive requests for certification and verification for the RedMagic 8 Pro from EMAG or other parties, he said.
Meanwhile, FlyingV is to be asked to take down any fundraising plan involving the sale of uncertified radio frequency devices, he said.
Should the RedMagic 8 Pro pass the certification and verification tests, the manufacturer or the agent would be asked to address the problem that the smartphone displays Taiwan as part of China, which is detrimental to national dignity, Wang said.
“Should the situation persist, we could abolish the certificate issued to them and ban the smartphone from being sold in Taiwan, as per the Regulations Governing Compliance Approval for Controlled Telecommunications Radio-Frequency Devices (電信管制射頻器材審驗管理辦法),” Wang said.
Using smartphones that are not certified by the NCC could affect the safety of other electronic appliances, disrupt radio waves, and generate concerns for personal data and cybersecurity breaches, the commission said, adding that consumers should ensure that the smartphones they purchase have been certified by the NCC.
The commission said it would coordinate with the Consumer Protection Committee and the Ministry of Digital Affairs to handle consumer disputes generated by the fundraising plans.
In 2019, Chinese smartphone manufacturer Huawei Inc was asked to stop sales of its P30, P30 Pro and Nova 5T smartphones in Taiwan after a system update led them to refer to the nation as “Taiwan, China,” rather than “Taiwan,” in the caller’s location and warranty areas.
Taipei and New Taipei City government officials are aiming to have the first phase of the Wanhua-Jungho-Shulin Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) line completed and opened by 2027, following the arrival of the first train set yesterday. The 22km-long Light Green Line would connect four densely populated districts in Taipei and New Taipei City: Wanhua (萬華), Jhonghe (中和), Tucheng (土城) and Shulin (樹林). The first phase of the project would connect Wanhua and Jhonghe districts, with Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall and Chukuang (莒光) being the terminal stations. The two municipalities jointly hosted a ceremony for the first train to be used
The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) yesterday said it is fully aware of the situation following reports that the son of ousted Chinese politician Bo Xilai (薄熙來) has arrived in Taiwan and is to marry a Taiwanese. Local media reported that Bo Guagua (薄瓜瓜), son of the former member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, is to marry the granddaughter of Luodong Poh-Ai Hospital founder Hsu Wen-cheng (許文政). The pair met when studying abroad and arranged to get married this year, with the wedding breakfast to be held at The One holiday resort in Hsinchu
Tropical Storm Usagi strengthened to a typhoon this morning and remains on track to brush past southeastern Taiwan between Friday and Sunday, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. The storm, which as of 8am was still 1,100km southeast of southern Taiwan, is currently expected to enter the Bashi Channel and then turn north, moving into waters southeast of Taiwan, the CWA said. Because of its rapid speed — 28kph as of 8am — a sea warning for the storm could be issued tonight, rather than tomorrow, as previously forecast, the CWA said. In terms of its impact, Usagi is to bring scattered or
An orange gas cloud that leaked from a waste management plant yesterday morning in Taoyuan’s Guanyin District (觀音) was likely caused by acidic waste, authorities said, adding that it posed no immediate harm. The leak occurred at a plant in the district’s Environmental Science and Technology Park at about 7am, the Taoyuan Fire Department said. Firefighters discovered a cloud of unidentified orange gas leaking from a waste tank when they arrived on the site, it said, adding that they put on Level A chemical protection before entering the building. After finding there was no continuous leak, the department worked with the city’s Department
RSS