Fund managers in Taiwan face a daily ritual: upon arrival each morning, they must lock away their mobile phones before the stock and bond markets open, retrieving them only after the trading day ends. This mobile phone ban, enforced by Taiwan regulators, has become a point of contention for investment professionals who argue it hampers communication and real-time decision-making.

Industry representatives have formally petitioned the Financial Supervisory Commission to reconsider the restriction, citing global practices where traders maintain controlled device access. They contend the rule, intended to prevent insider trading and market manipulation, is outdated given modern compliance technology and surveillance systems.

Regulators have signaled willingness to review the policy but emphasize investor protection remains paramount. Any relaxation would likely come with strict conditions, such as approved devices, monitored networks, and audit trails.

The outcome could reshape daily operations for Taiwan's asset management sector, aligning it more closely with international peers while testing the balance between oversight and operational efficiency.