The pre-test self-enumeration for India’s first digital census is facing a strange hurdle in Goa. Goans are reluctant to participate in the exercise. Surprisingly, in the past seven days, only 87 people have registered online. The digital census is a giant leap towards modernisation, and the very people who are supposed to benefit from this move are the ones who are feeling insecure about it. The reasons: The sweeping cases of cyber scams involving OTPs and web links, and a general lack of awareness of the exercise.
This exercise is highly important, as it serves as a trial stage for testing the digital model’s efficacy before it goes live nationwide. A lukewarm response is indicative of entrenched concerns about data security in the modern cyber threat environment. The census directorate (DCO) spokesman informs that the department is working hard to convince the public of safety measures. The information submitted is said to be protected by numerous encryption and data security layers.
People will hesitate, given the background where they have lost bank balances and huge sums in online scams. “People are reluctant to share their personal information on the internet, particularly when they are continuously bombarded with news about cyber frauds and data breaches,” an official was quoted as saying.
Moreover, the surge of cybercrimes in Goa acts as a catalyst for the intensification of digital anxiety. According to the data, the State saw more than 6,000 cases of cyber fraud up to March 2025, with losses nearly touching Rs 149 crore. To interpret these statistics as nothing more than numbers would be a mistake—they are the ominous warning signs of the dangers that lurk in the virtual world. There is a series of breaches—the likes of which include the hacking of bank accounts, identity theft, and online scams—that have not only made headlines but also left people helpless. The personal details and financial information of an individual are the most sacred things, and if they are at risk, it is only natural that people would be reluctant to give up their data even for a good cause such as a census.
To make things worse, there exists a general lack of awareness of digital security protocols and the precautions taken in this regard. Quite a few people still don’t know what encryption, OTP, and other security measures are for, giving them the security of their data. Instead, they are grappling with the thought that the money lost is almost impossible to retrieve. The end result of this is people who are distrustful toward digital programmes and harbour a fear of participation.
The government’s efforts to instil trust in the hearts of the people have been manifested in the support the local Block Level Officers (BLOs) provide on the ground and the awareness sessions aimed at bringing clarity to the procedure. Accomplishing the goal, however, is still quite daunting. Usually, when one hears that his data is encrypted and stored securely, he reacts with disbelief. At times, someone deciding against participating might be triggered to do so simply by the mention of the OTP procedure, as they feel it is due to their security being violated, rather than the opposite.
This digital hesitation reveals a bigger social problem of a need for a thorough awareness and the building of trust regarding cybersecurity issues. The question of how to propel the State into the digital era while still keeping the balance between tradition and modernity appears to strongly depend on one thing - the raising of digital literacy and confidence levels among people. Without these, tech initiatives stand little chance of success as they will be burdened with the very worries they seek to dispel.
