Data Ethics, Privacy, Security and troubleshooting Mobile and Web App Issues – Do’s and Don’ts of App use & Data Security

Training of Enumerators & Supervisors

<Month> 2026

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Session Objective

• Data Ethics , Privacy and Security
• Troubleshooting Mobile and Web App issues
• Do’s and Don’ts of App Use and data Security

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Data Ethics, Privacy and Security

🔑 FOUNDATIONAL DEVICE SAFETY

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☐ Save Your IMEI

Dial *#06#�Write 15-digit number�in secure notebook

☐ Enable Play Protect (Android)

Play Store > Profile�> Play Protect > Settings�Ensure 'Scan apps' = ON

☐ Check Profiles (iPhone)

Settings > General�> VPN & Device Management�Delete unknown profiles

☐ Check Admin Apps (Android)

Settings > Security�> Device Admin Apps�Revoke untrusted apps

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IMEI IMPORTANCE

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If your phone is lost or stolen, your IMEI number is the ONLY way to:��✓ Report it to authorities�✓ Block access to census data�✓ Prevent misuse��No IMEI = No way to secure your device

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IMEI : International Mobile Equipment Identity

🛡️ THE 'LOCK & BLOCK' RULES

🔒 BIOMETRIC LOCK

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FaceID/Fingerprint MUST be active�Set Auto-Lock to 2 minutes�Device locks instantly when unattended

📵 NO PUBLIC WI-FI

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Use 4G/5G data ONLY�Cafés, restaurants, public places = data-theft zones�Hackers monitor public networks

⚡ NO PUBLIC USB

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Never use public charging ports�"Juice jacking" installs malware�Bring your own charger

📡 DISABLE UNUSED SERVICES

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Bluetooth OFF when not needed�Wi-Fi OFF when not needed�NFC OFF when not needed��These are "open doors"

🚫 ANTI-PHISHING & ANTI-QUISHING

PHISHING ATTACKS

❌ Click links in SMS from unknown senders

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❌ Click links in WhatsApp from strangers

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❌ Links saying 'Update your account'

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❌ Links claiming 'Verify your identity'

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❌ Links offering free prizes or money

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❌ Avoid being part of unknown group

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QR CODE SAFETY

✓ Feel the QR code before scanning

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✓ If sticker is loose/raised = fake overlay

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✓ Only use built-in camera to scan

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✓ NEVER download 'QR Scanner' apps

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✓ Malicious apps hide in 'free scanner' apps

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THE GOLDEN RULE:

If a link asks you to 'verify,' 'update,' or 'confirm’ —STOP —

🚩 SOCIAL ENGINEERING RED FLAGS

❌ 🔢 THE CODE SCAM

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Scenario: Someone calls or messages asking for a 6-digit code sent to your phone.

🚨 THIS CAN BE A SCAM.

→ Hang up. Delete message. Report to supervisor.

❌ 👤 THE FAKE SUPERVISOR

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Scenario: Urgent SMS: "Update your credentials immediately at [link]"

🚨 Your supervisor would NEVER communicate this way.

→ Ignore. Call your supervisor directly on known number. Verify.

❌ 📱 THE HAND-OFF

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Scenario: Survey participant asks to "check" something on your phone.

🚨 Never. Ever. Hand over your device.

→ Politely decline. Maintain control of your device at all times.

⚖️ ETHICS & PRIVACY

PHONE/DEVICE LOST

REPORT FAST

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Report to authorities

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Reregister HLO App

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Prevents data misuse

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Protects citizens Inform

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Protects your device

NO PERSONAL SYNC

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NEVER backup data to:

❌ Google Drive

❌ iCloud

❌ OneDrive

❌ Any personal cloud

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Sync ONLY to CMMS server

ANONYMITY MATTERS

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NEVER photograph:

❌ House numbers

❌ ID cards/ documents

❌ Faces

❌ Any PII information

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Respect privacy

Collect only what's necessary

MOBILE NO./SIM LOST

REPORT FAST

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Report to Charge Officer and get your mobile no changed in CMMS portal immediately.

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Prevents data misuse

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🚨 Key Points to Remember

• Your phone = your responsibility
• Report incidents immediately
• Never share credentials
• Save your IMEI
• Lock your device
• Avoid public networks
• Report lost/stolen “asap”

📞 EMERGENCY CONTACTS & REFERENCE

YOUR SUPERVISOR: ___________________________

Phone: ___________________________

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IT SUPPORT TEAM: ___________________________

Whatsapp: ___________________________

Email: ___________________________

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YOUR IMEI NUMBER: ___________________________

(Dial *#06# to find)

📌 PRINT THIS & KEEP IN YOUR POCKET..

Troubleshooting mobile and web app issues

• The data in your mobile is safe until you do not uninstall the app. If the App is uninstalled the data in the mobile app, which is not synced, will be lost.

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• If any server error occurs at any time, please wait for some time. It will be resolved. Don’t panic in that case. You may proceed with the data entry, as the app is an offline app. You may sync once the server error is resolved. Do not uninstall the mobile app in panic.

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• If No HLBs allotted message is coming, it means that no HLB is allotted to this user. Contact your Charge officer, and refresh after confirmation and allotment of HLB.

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Troubleshooting mobile and web app issues

• For training purpose, separate mobile app will be provided, which will work till the start date of actual operations.

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• For actual HLO operations, app will be made available in App stores, which will work only after the start of actual HLO operations.

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• For safe side, ask all enumerators to install the actual app, on the day of start of HLO operations only. Install the app in good network connectivity and then proceed for the field operations.

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• If in any case, the SEID is not matching, you may refresh to get the SE data, if possible. Otherwise proceed with the fresh data entry.

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Do’s for HLO Mobile App

• Use HLO app in one device only. Try to complete the work in the same device which is registered first time..
• Upload the data after every 5-6 records to prevent data loss. A warning message will also popup to remind the same.
• Do the entry of record carefully to avoid any re work.

Do’s for HLO Mobile App

• Keep your user ID and OTP safe. Keep away your mobile device from unauthorized person.
• Enter the expected no of census houses and buildings carefully for first time.
• Select the Language carefully while registration of HLO app, as this cannot be changed afterwards. It will confirm for the selection also, at time of registration.

Do’s for HLO Mobile App

• In case of loss of SIM/Mobile no, contact your charge officer immediately and change your mobile no, to avoid any misuse. This is MOST IMPORTANT as all OTPs will come to your registered mobile no only. Register HLO app if required.

Dont’s For HLO Mobile App

• Don’t use App Cloning/ Parallel Spaces / Dual Apps to use this App. It is illegal and not safe. Also the data would not be synced with this technique and you may end up doing the work again.
• Do not change Mobile device unnecessary. It may be changed only under unavoidable circumstances. In case of change of mobile device, sync all data from old device first. Only the synced data will be available in the newly registered device. Any un-synced data from previous device can never be synced.

Thank you

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http://www.censusindia.gov.in

“जनगणना: समृद्धि: समाजस्य”

Follow us @censusindia2027