Privacy Concerns Arise Over Islamabad Household Survey App Amid Rapid Population Growth

Lawmakers have raised privacy concerns over a government-led household survey in Islamabad, conducted through a mobile application to collect residents’ demographic data.

The survey, initiated under the directives of the Prime Minister, aims to track population growth and household information as Islamabad continues to expand rapidly. According to the Deputy Commissioner of Islamabad, 32,000 households have been surveyed so far, with 3,711 households voluntarily submitting their data, while 28,000 homes were covered via door-to-door surveys.

During a Senate committee session, officials and lawmakers raised concerns about data security and privacy, noting that the information collected through the app is not currently protected under any specific law. The committee’s chairperson warned that collecting household data without proper safeguards could make citizens vulnerable to misuse or unauthorized access. She highlighted risks for women living alone, questioning accountability in case of privacy breaches.

Senator Afnanullah cited past incidents involving NADRA data leaks, stressing that sensitive household information could be misused if it fell into the wrong hands. “If all this data ends up with unauthorized parties, it could facilitate access to private homes,” he warned.

Deputy Commissioner Islamabad defended the survey, stating it was necessary due to the city’s growing population and increased pressures following recent security incidents. He added that tracking citizen locations is a practice adopted in several countries worldwide to manage urban planning and security.

The discussion underscored the urgent need for robust legal safeguards, data protection measures, and clear accountability before large-scale data collection is carried out, balancing governance needs with citizens’ right to privacy.

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