Paul and Charlotte’s Reminder: Information Security Tips for Online Questionnaire

2026 Population Census


The 2026 Population Census is about to begin. The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) will issue in batches the notification letters to invite the sampled households to participate in the census. We always attach great importance to data confidentiality, information security, and the user experience of respondents. When enhancing the online questionnaire, apart from improving the user experience, we also thoroughly protect the privacy of personal information of households, to achieve “Online Census: Simple, Convenient, Secure”.


Streamlining account registration and login processes for the online questionnaire

It is convenient to use the online questionnaire to fill out the population census. Sampled households will receive a unique set of reference number and activation key in the notification letter. Households simply need to scan the QR code on the notification letter to directly access the online questionnaire (https://oq.census2026.gov.hk). The required reference number and activation code will be filled in automatically to save time on manual input. Besides, we have incorporated iAM Smart and one-time-password to securely streamline the account registration and login processes. Respondents do not need to memorise passwords, or security questions and answers.


Streamlining account registration and login processes for the online questionnaire


Anti-scam and information security tips

It is worth mentioning that information security is also very important at individual level. Now, let "Paul (阿普)" and "Charlotte (阿查)", mascots for the 2026 Population Census, tell you about cybersecurity tips for using the online questionnaire!


Cybersecurity tips


  1. Only sampled households are required to participate in the 2026 Population Census. They will receive notification letter in purple envelope.

    2. Notification letter in purple envelope


  2. C&SD WILL NOT contact households unless they have contacted C&SD and left their contacts before.
  3. ONLY Census Hotline "18 2026" will be displayed when census officers call households. There will be no “+” sign before the number.
  4. C&SD WILL ONLY use the Sender ID "#C&SD" to send SMS messages.
  5. C&SD WILL NOT ask respondents to submit password in any telephone call, email or SMS message. Unless requested by respondents, emails and SMS message from C&SD WILL NOT embed with any hyperlinks.
  6. C&SD WILL NOT ask for sensitive and private information such as HKID card number, bank account or credit card information.
  7. DO NOT use hyperlinks provided by unknown emails or websites to avoid mistakenly using fake websites to submit information, which could lead to leakage of personal data.
  8. If in doubt, please call Census Hotline 18 2026 or send an email to census2026@censtatd.gov.hk. You can also call the 24-hour Anti-Scam Helpline 18222 operated by the Anti-Deception Coordination Centre of the Hong Kong Police Force for enquiry.

Data security and confidentiality of online questionnaire

Households can rest assured to use the online questionnaire to submit data. Any information provided through it will be encrypted, and be stored and processed only on the government server. The relevant data will be kept in strict confidence, and access to them is restricted to authorised personnel only. Besides, all collected data will be anonymised, and all completed questionnaires will be destroyed within one year after the end of the data collection period. All published statistical products will also be scrutinised to ensure that personal particulars cannot be derived.

Your participation is important! Here, we once again encourage sampled households to use the online questionnaire. For more information, please visit the thematic webpage of the 2026 Population Census: www.census2026.gov.hk.


CHOI Ming-yeung, Michael
Statistician
19 December 2025