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I honestly don't know much about Apple/Android implementations of QR code readers... Is there any fundamental issue with using one of these things to share a li

I honestly don't know much about Apple/Android implementations of QR code readers... Is there any fundamental issue with using one of these things to share a link to a menu or something? Many restaurants are trying to avoid menus it seems (which makes sense) and I could see a QR code making this easier for people. I don't like the idea that my OS/browser history basically knows everything about me, but I don't really see how visiting a menu is a serious problem, given that the same systems also generally have my location data too... Is the concern that people who visit restaurants are much more likely to be spreaders of COVID? Could just looking at a menu (implying visiting the restaurant) be enough to implicate me of something? I'm just left wondering in all this mess. Who watches the watchmen?

RL_Quine 6y ago
One of the reasons QR codes don't get used much is people simply don't know how to scan them.
- fennecfoxen 6y ago
  Indeed, and this is one classic problem of QR code adoption (in the US, at least), so it'll be interesting to see whether this trend of QR-code menus actually drives adoption. See also: https://picturesofpeoplescanningqrcodes.tumblr.com/ https://picturesofpeoplescanningqrcodes.tumblr.com/
Nextgrid 6y ago
> Is there any fundamental issue with using one of these things to share a link to a menu or something? There is no problem with making a QR code that links to a menu in PDF format and that would be private & secure. The problem is that the majority of those QR codes would link to a page on the restaurant's website where various trackers are embedded and Zuckerberg is not far away, and most people browse without private mode nor ad-blockers so their browser is known by those trackers.
Closi 6y ago
The QR codes need to send you to a name & address form for contact tracing - that's why. Scanning a code and putting in your name & address is mandatory at all eat-in places in the UK (or writing it down on a list).
- jjgreen 6y ago
  Not quite, the restaurant is required to demand a QR scan or name & address, you are not required to tell the truth in responding (i.e., it is not a criminal offence to do so).
  - Closi 6y ago
    Yes, that is true :) To build on that - It is also true that up to 2 weeks ago, the QR scan 'without giving your name and address' option was not an option and all solutions required giving your name & address.
pjmlp 6y ago
Except unless one is an happy iPhone owner, chances are they don't have any means to scan QR codes on their phones. Specially elderly people with their feature phones, or plain classic ones
benhurmarcel 6y ago
In Spain most restaurants now have replaced menus by a QR code on the table. It just takes you to a static page or pdf with the menu, usually on their own website. There's no issue. But also there's no contact tracing done that way.

RL_Quine 6y ago

One of the reasons QR codes don't get used much is people simply don't know how to scan them.

fennecfoxen 6y ago
Indeed, and this is one classic problem of QR code adoption (in the US, at least), so it'll be interesting to see whether this trend of QR-code menus actually drives adoption. See also: https://picturesofpeoplescanningqrcodes.tumblr.com/ https://picturesofpeoplescanningqrcodes.tumblr.com/

Nextgrid 6y ago

> Is there any fundamental issue with using one of these things to share a link to a menu or something? There is no problem with making a QR code that links to a menu in PDF format and that would be private & secure. The problem is that the majority of those QR codes would link to a page on the restaurant's website where various trackers are embedded and Zuckerberg is not far away, and most people browse without private mode nor ad-blockers so their browser is known by those trackers.

Closi 6y ago

The QR codes need to send you to a name & address form for contact tracing - that's why. Scanning a code and putting in your name & address is mandatory at all eat-in places in the UK (or writing it down on a list).

jjgreen 6y ago
Not quite, the restaurant is required to demand a QR scan or name & address, you are not required to tell the truth in responding (i.e., it is not a criminal offence to do so).
- Closi 6y ago
  Yes, that is true :) To build on that - It is also true that up to 2 weeks ago, the QR scan 'without giving your name and address' option was not an option and all solutions required giving your name & address.

pjmlp 6y ago

Except unless one is an happy iPhone owner, chances are they don't have any means to scan QR codes on their phones. Specially elderly people with their feature phones, or plain classic ones

benhurmarcel 6y ago

In Spain most restaurants now have replaced menus by a QR code on the table. It just takes you to a static page or pdf with the menu, usually on their own website. There's no issue. But also there's no contact tracing done that way.