Visakhapatnam, India – January 20, 2025

The ambitious household geo-tagging survey currently underway in Visakhapatnam is facing significant challenges as residents are increasingly reluctant to share their one-time passwords (OTPs) due to growing fears of cybercrime. The survey, aimed at improving governance and urban planning, requires OTP verification as part of the data collection process, but widespread mistrust among citizens is hampering progress.

Survey Objectives and Process
The geo-tagging initiative is part of a government drive to create a comprehensive digital map of households to facilitate better delivery of services, resource allocation, and infrastructure planning. Survey teams visit households to collect information, verify it via OTP authentication, and map the locations digitally. 

However, concerns about data security and frequent reports of OTP-related frauds have made many residents wary of sharing their codes with field officers, even though they are officially authorized.

 Cybercrime Concerns Heighten Resistance
Visakhapatnam has witnessed a rise in cybercrime incidents in recent years, with scammers exploiting OTPs to carry out fraudulent transactions. As a result, citizens have grown cautious about sharing sensitive information, even with legitimate representatives. Despite surveyors presenting identification and explaining the purpose of the geo-tagging exercise, many households remain unconvinced.

A resident, Mr. Rajesh Kumar, expressed his hesitation: "We keep hearing about people losing money after sharing their OTPs. Even if these officials are genuine, how can we be sure our data won't be misused later?"

 Officials Work to Address Concerns
In response to the challenges, the municipal authorities have intensified awareness campaigns to educate the public about the safety of the survey process. Officials are emphasizing that the OTP is used solely to verify their data entry into the government database and does not compromise personal or financial security.

"We understand the public's apprehensions, but we assure them that their information is safe and used only for governance purposes," said an official overseeing the survey. "Our teams are equipped with proper identification, and residents can verify their credentials before proceeding."

 Call for Enhanced Security Measures
Experts suggest that additional measures, such as integrating alternative authentication methods or providing a dedicated helpline for citizens to verify survey details, could help alleviate concerns and rebuild trust.

Survey's Impact at Stake
The geo-tagging survey is seen as a critical step toward urban development in Visakhapatnam, enabling better decision-making for projects ranging from waste management to public transportation. However, continued resistance could delay the project's completion, potentially affecting its intended benefits.

As authorities work to balance the need for accurate data collection with public trust, the challenges the geo-tagging teams face underscore the growing influence of cybercrime fears on everyday governance initiatives.