2 weeks ago
Census 2027 privacy concerns over Aadhaar, mobile data collection
India is planning to count all its people for the 2027 census.
Census workers will ask people a list of 40 questions.
Some of the new questions ask for very personal information, like phone numbers, Aadhaar numbers and passport numbers.
The questionnaire also asks about parents and bank accounts.
Some experts who study population have worries about this.
They say the government does not need such personal details just to count people.
The government says the information is protected by a law from 1948 and will be kept safe.
The government also says it has added special security features for this digital operation.
Some experts worry that people who fill out the form themselves on a phone might make mistakes.
Everyone agrees that keeping the collected data safe is very important.
The Registrar General of India notified a 40-item questionnaire for Census 2027, adding 13 new fields compared to the 2011 census.
New fields seek parents' particulars, number of bank accounts, permanent residential address, and mobile, Aadhaar, voter ID and passport numbers.
Public policy experts questioned why individual-specific sensitive data is needed for macro-level policy-making and resource allocation.
The Census Act 1948 makes answering mandatory under Section 8 but bars data from being used as evidence under Section 15.
The Centre approved the two-phase census on December 12, with data to be collected via mobile apps and a digital self-enumeration option.
- Who
- The Registrar General of India, the Centre, and public policy experts including Amitabh Kundu, P.C. Mohanan and Rajeeva Karandikar
- What
- Controversy over the collection of Aadhaar, mobile and other personal data in the Census 2027 questionnaire
- Where
- India
- When
- The Centre approved the proposal on December 12; Census 2027 will be conducted in two phases
- Why
- Experts question the need for individual-specific sensitive data, while the government says suitable security features have been provisioned
Experts' Concerns
Government's Position
Need for personal data in census
Experts' Concerns
Collecting Aadhaar, mobile numbers and parental details is irrelevant and unjustifiable for macro-level policy-making and research.
Government's Position
The data is legally bound to be protected, and suitable security features have been provisioned for the digital operation.
Data protection and confidentiality
Experts' Concerns
Storing such a vast pool of sensitive data raises public suspicion about storage, protection and possible misuse.
Government's Position
The Census Act 1948 provides for confidentiality of personal data and the government is legally bound to protect it from leaks or misuse.
Digital self-enumeration
Experts' Concerns
Self-enumeration has scope for incorrect data entry, which could impact the reliability of census data.
Government's Position
The digital operation with self-enumeration has been provisioned with suitable security features.
Key facts
- Census year
- 2027
- Questionnaire items
- 40
- New fields vs 2011 census
- 13
- Governing law
- Census Act 1948
- Data confidentiality
- Section 15 - inadmissible as evidence
- Phases
- House listing followed by population enumeration
- Data collection method
- Mobile apps with digital self-enumeration
- Approval date
- December 12 (Centre approved proposal)
Quotes
Prof. Rajeeva Karandikar
Former director of Chennai Mathematical Institute
“"Section 15 of the Census Act 1948 provides for confidentiality of personal data… Ensuring confidentiality and protection of such vast data would be a challenge for the government system and would certainly raise questions in the public mind. Most importantly, if the census data is meant for macro‑level policy‑making and resource allocation, what is the need for collecting individual‑specific sensitive data?"”
telegraphindia.com
“"The government is legally bound to protect the data from leaks or misuse. People share a lot of personal data on different platforms without even realising or checking the data‑protection measures."”
telegraphindia.com
P.C. Mohanan
Former acting chairperson of the National Statistical Commission
“"Instead of asking about the Aadhaar number, the question should be whether somebody has Aadhaar or not. Personal data is avoided in any census or survey. Questions seeking personal data will lead to suspicion among the public about the intent of the government behind the exercise."”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
Related news
Census 2027 Privacy Concerns Threaten Accuracy and Public Trust
Census 2027 Questions Raise Concerns Over NPR Data-Sharing
Census 2027 to Collect Caste, Aadhaar, Mobile and Bank Details
Census 2027 Questions Rekindle NPR Privacy, Citizenship Controversy
Cracks in census: many Indians reluctant to share personal details
Census 2027 questionnaire revives NPR, adds caste and ID details
India’s 2027 Census Questions Raise Fears of National Register
Caste Census Debate: Why OBC Inflation Fears May Be Unfounded
7,000 Calcutta Teachers Exempted From Teaching for Census Duty
