The Balearic Government is considering introducing the new measure to control possible coronavirus infections before the Christmas holidays begin.
The Executive will pay for the installation of the QR code readers at bars, restaurants and hotels and all the technology will be developed by the Balearic Association of Software, Internet & New Technologies, GsBit. It will also provide technical support to the company in charge of the project, which is being put out to tender as a matter of urgency.
“The goal is to make life easier for restaurateurs and customers, so a less harmful option has been chosen,” says GsBit. “The QR codes are less harmful and bars, cafes and restaurants are exempted from guarding and storing the data collected by readers.”
It's also been revealed that the Ministry of Health will keep the data for a period of 15 days, which is the period of time that potential infections are usually diagnosed and once this time has elapsed all data will be deleted from the database.
Tender
The winning company will have less than three weeks to profile the QR code and the data that needs to be included, so it won’t be operational before the Constitution Day holiday weekend.
"A QR code can be downloaded from the internet and personal data entered, such as name, surname, ID, address and telephone number," says GsBit. "The data will be validated by means of a telephone message and a personal QR will be issued which can be used in every restaurant in the Balearic Islands. This is not about control, it’s about prevention and all data will be deleted after 15 days.
Having QR codes on file for all customers will help trackers find people if a coronavirus outbreak occurs at a bar or restaurant they visited.
To introduce the QR system the Government must approve a decree law that provides legal support for the project, because it entails the control of personal data and security in sanitary matters inside restaurant premises.
Legal reports on data protection have been requested by the Balearic Government to safeguard the right to intimacy and personal privacy.
7 comments
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And if the conspiracy theorists had predicted such measures 6 months ago they would have been labelled lunatics.
“They can take or freedom...” and they do. This layer of surveillance is just going to far. Drones in the air, DNA registration (PCR test), and logging what bars and restaurants we visit... Please stop, this is much worse than the virus
Will not work for me. I do not have a smart phone!
Stupid idea, and the bars and restaurants who are already struggling financially have to pay for the installation of this system and the air purifiers also. With news of the vaccine today you would hope within the next 6 to 8 months we shouldn't be living under any restrictions. There will be a large percentage of people that will be put off by this invasion of privacy. Another lose lose situation for everbody involved. Armengol is destroying the Balearics very quickly. Let's not even bring up the new speed limits.
Can we assume from this announcement that the many people who do not own smartphones will be barred from the establishments mentioned? Doesn't matter if you sit outside, but could cause considerable problems if someone needs to use the toilets!
Another great idea with flaws. So everyone can download a QR code etc and without all the necessary confirmation access to bars and restaurants will be denied. Obviously establishments are not wishing to have an elderly population. Many elderly people do not possess a smartphone, there are also many people I personally know who use an older smartphone for voice and SMS only and these phones will not accept downloads for current applications, therefore impossible to obtain QR or anything else. So no food or drink for these people seems to be the message being portrayed.
What about if you haven’t got a smart phone or tablet?