In brief
Invest Hong Kong's “News and Events” app cost HK$388,000 to develop and drew only 1,100 downloads since its September 2018 launch, so it was removed in April last year. Five government apps were pulled in 2019–20, and others such as “Endless Remembrance” and “E&M Connect” also saw low downloads.
In recent years, the Hong Kong government has spent heavily on developing innovation and technology, with various government departments building all kinds of mobile apps. However, many have drawn criticism for excessive development costs and little practical use.
Last year's “Budget” documents revealed that the app “Invest Hong Kong News and Events”, developed by Invest Hong Kong at a cost of HK$388,000, had only 1,100 downloads since its launch in September 2018, and lawmakers criticised it as a waste of public funds. According to the Innovation and Technology Bureau's reply to lawmakers' enquiries, the app was removed from app stores in April last year. Including HK$24,000 in maintenance costs, each download works out to as much as HK$375.
5 Apps Removed
According to Innovation and Technology Bureau documents, a total of five apps were removed in 2019–20. They include the Independent Commission Against Corruption's “ICAC Smartphone Application” (development cost HK$568,800; 12,000 downloads); “1823 Online” (development cost HK$700,000; 29,000 downloads); the Department of Health app “Framework@PC” (development cost HK$196,000; 17,000 downloads); and the costly app “Invest Hong Kong News and Events”, launched in September 2018 with only 1,100 downloads.
According to the documents, the “Invest Hong Kong News and Events” app was meant to let the public access the latest news and events from Invest Hong Kong, in order to encourage overseas companies to set up or expand businesses in Hong Kong. The app was developed and maintained in-house, with a development cost of HK$388,000. Launched in September 2018, it incurred HK$24,000 in maintenance costs but was downloaded only 1,100 times. Not only were downloads low, but the app was removed seven months after launch, officially reaching the end of its life.
“Endless Remembrance” App Downloaded Only About 6,000 Times
Recently, because of the “restrictions on gatherings”, the government has widely promoted the “Endless Remembrance” app, whose downloads have likewise been poor. Officially described as a function to “allow the public to remember and mourn their beloved departed anytime, anywhere”, it cost HK$300,000 to develop and was launched in June 2018. As of 29 February this year, it had only 3,800 downloads. The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department responded that, as of 31 March this year, the cumulative downloads of the “Endless Remembrance” app were close to 6,000.
With a development cost as high as HK$800,000, the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department's “E&M Connect” app also performed very poorly. As described by the department, the app uses native smartphone functions to help the public choose energy-efficient appliances through a mobile platform, find registered electrical contractors and liquefied petroleum gas distributors for services, and provide shortcuts to sub-apps on mobile app distribution platforms to obtain information and e-services that the department issues to stakeholders. Launched in December 2019, it had only 5,400 downloads as of 29 February this year, working out to HK$148 per download.
Innovation and Technology Bureau: Apps With Fewer Than 10,000 Downloads Must Be Removed
The Bureau said that, under the requirements of the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer, bureaux and departments must conduct regular reviews after launching a mobile app, including whether it meets user needs and achieves the expected results and cost-effectiveness. If an app's downloads are below 10,000 one year after launch, the bureau or department concerned must remove it.
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