Mandatory QR code scan at restaurants draws flak

Scanning a QR code to order and pay for food is now commonplace at restaurants in China as it boosts efficiency by saving time and resources, including manpower.

Most eateries have quickly adapted to this digital transformation and some have completely done away with printed menus and conventional payment methods, triggering dissatisfaction among a section of customers such as the elderly who are not very tech-savvy.

While the adoption of QR codes may be particularly appealing to Generation Z and millennials, the digital leap has raised concerns of a privacy breach as it is often mandatory to log in to the account of a restaurant using a phone number or WeChat.