LCQ3: Mobile applications launched by government departments
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Question:
There are views that the functions of mobile applications launched by the Government are fragmented, and that members of the public often need to download multiple applications to access various government information and services, which in effect results in a waste of time and public money. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) of the 10 government mobile applications with the lowest number of downloads in each of the past five years and their respective download figures; whether the numbers of downloads of these applications have met the targets set at the time of their launch;
(2) of the 10 government departments that have provided the largest number of mobile applications for public download in each of the past five years, and set out the key functions of these applications and their respective annual maintenance costs; and
(3) as the Government has indicated that it aims to migrate all services provided by various government mobile applications into the "iAM Smart" mini-program platform by the end of this year to achieve a "single portal for e-government services", and reduce the number of government applications by half within the coming two years, of the specific details and progress of such exercises, including whether it will integrate the newly launched "Electronic Driving Licence" mobile application from the Transport Department into "iAM Smart" to reduce maintenance costs?
Reply：
President,
In respect of the question raised by the Hon Lee Chun-keung, having consolidated the information provided by relevant bureaux/departments (B/Ds), my reply is as follows:
Mobile applications (apps) are one of the approaches for the Government to implement e-Government services, with "bringing convenience and benefits to the public" being our guiding principle. B/Ds develop various mobile apps according to their business need for the public to download and use. Currently, there are 75 mobile apps being maintained by 34 B/Ds, covering different policy areas. Regarding questions (1) and (2) on the Government mobile apps with the lowest numbers of download and the B/Ds providing the highest numbers of mobile apps, the relevant information is set out at Annex 1 and Annex 2 respectively.
The Digital Policy Office (DPO) has published the "Practice Guide for Developing Mobile Apps" for the development and implementation of government mobile apps. It is stipulated that B/Ds are required to set out the objectives and usage of the app before development and to conduct regular review after the apps are launched to ensure that the apps are updated, optimised, or integrated with existing apps in a cost-effective manner. In evaluating the effectiveness, apart from the numbers of download, B/Ds also comprehensively consider factors including the target user groups (e.g. whether the apps are designed specifically for people with special needs), user feedback and the changing demands. Over the past five years, B/Ds have decommissioned or consolidated around 40 mobile apps into other platforms.
At the same time, to strengthen the co-ordination of digital government services launched by various B/Ds, the DPO issued a circular early this year requiring B/Ds to prioritise the use of "iAM Smart" as the primary platform for delivering their new mobile apps or online services. B/Ds shall not develop new standalone mobile apps which are separated from the "iAM Smart" platform unless there are sufficient justifications and approvals from the Heads of B/Ds and the DPO.
In fact, one of the policy goals of the digital government is to facilitate the public to access government information and services in a one-stop manner, enabling handling of e- Government services on a single portal through the centralised "iAM Smart" platform. The DPO is introducing a "Mini-program Platform" in "iAM Smart" this year, marking an important step toward an integrated digital government. Citizens will be able to directly access and use e-services provided by various B/Ds with the mini-programs in "iAM Smart", without the need to download the mobile apps provided by individual B/Ds. If B/Ds need to retain or launch individual mobile apps due to policy, user experience or operational considerations (particularly for apps with numerous or complex functions), they can also leverage "iAM Smart" by migrating some frequently used functions to the "Mini-program Platform" to significantly enhance the convenience of accessing e- Government services for the public.
The "Mini-program Platform" of "iAM Smart" will be launched in December this year. We anticipate that about 20 or more of the existing government mobile apps can be gradually migrated to the "Mini-program Platform" within two years, while around 20 mobile apps will be phased out, substantially reducing the total number of government mobile apps. As for the remaining roughly 30 apps (including the Transport Department’s "Electronic Driving Licence"), the DPO will continue to work with the relevant B/Ds to review their implementation, ensuring that government mobile apps fulfill their original purpose of "bringing convenience and benefits to the public".
Ends/Wednesday, October 15, 2025
Issued at HKT 16:30
Issued at HKT 16:30
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