How QR Code Menus Are Revolutionizing Customer Data Collection in Cafes

Convenience can come at a cost to your privacy.

During the pandemic, digital menus accessed via QR codes became a popular solution to protect cafe and restaurant guests. Simply scanning a QR code with a smartphone camera opens the menu instantly, offering a quick and hygienic alternative to physical menus that require frequent sanitation. This innovation also reduces the workload for waitstaff.

However, recent research highlighted by The New York Times and referenced by Gizmodo reveals that these QR code menus can track user behavior. Interviews with representatives from two tech companies—Mr. Yum, which provides digital menus capable of monitoring orders, and Cheqout, a platform for ordering and paying directly from smartphones—shed light on the extent of data collection.

These platforms can gather and transmit information such as order details, visit times, phone numbers, email addresses, visit frequency, and even payment data. In theory, analyzing regular orders could enable menus to become more interactive by recommending favorite dishes tailored to each customer.

Both companies emphasize that they do not share collected data with third parties. Nevertheless, if you are concerned about your personal data privacy, requesting a traditional paper menu during your next restaurant visit may be a wise choice.

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