Global Lords: I Have Information System

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Recently, Ms. Chen, who works in Beijing, went to a restaurant and was told she needed to scan a QR code for self-service ordering. Besides following the public account and adding a mini-program, she also had to register as a member and fill in personal information. She questioned, ”It’s just a meal, why do I have to provide personal information?”

With the rise of internet businesses, mobile payment has become the mainstream. When eating in restaurants, QR codes at the table corners have become the ”waiters.” ”There’s no menu, please scan the code to order directly.” After a series of operations such as scanning, following the public account, and authorizing personal information, you can start ordering. It seems more convenient, but there are also many hidden dangers.

Some believe this is a technological advancement that shouldn’t be rejected, and for people with choice paralysis or social anxiety, it’s undoubtedly a good choice. However, others think technology is eroding public privacy.

Should we reject this practice of mandatory following with QR code ordering?

The first step of QR code ordering requires following the public account. After following, you’ll receive various push notifications from time to time, most of which are advertisements such as ”new store opened in another city” or ”new dishes launched.” You won’t even open them and will occasionally clear the notification when you have OCD. The forced scanning behavior is like being bombarded with pop-up ads on the internet; it’s too annoying. Although consumers can manually cancel later, during the ordering process, consumers don’t have much choice.

The second step of QR code ordering forcibly obtains your personal information. Why do you have to register your phone number and other personal information just to eat a meal? Do you need to apply for a meal?

With phone info bound to WeChat, the user’s personal information can be easily taken with just one click. Merchants even use the collected customer information to ”profile” customers, aiding in precision marketing. Some black-heart merchants sell consumer information to underground gray markets, causing leakage of personal data and privacy. Who guarantees information security?

The original intention of QR code ordering is to improve ordering efficiency, providing convenience for customers. However, merchants use ordering as an excuse to excessively collect rights, infringing on consumers’ freedom of choice. On the other hand, it decreases user experience and increases customer resentment. In the short term, it may increase traffic, but in the long run, it’s an unwise behavior.

Merchants need to rectify the ”formal voluntary, essentially mandatory” trade behavior, avoid taking advantage of customers, and not abuse others’ trust. Customers are ”God,” and he who wins public opinion wins the world.

Relevant authorities should draw a clear line to protect consumers’ legitimate rights. Consumers must be brave enough to say ”no” to any infringing behavior. When it’s time to be serious, be serious.

Near Lujiazui, there is more than one store. From the Ele.me delivery platform, Times Week reporter found that the monthly average sales of two Miyue Ice City stores near Lujiazui exceeded 4,000 orders, an astonishing level of popularity.

It’s not only Lujiazui, but also the shopping districts in Shanghai City Center like Huaihai Road, Tianzifang, Five-Pointed Field, and Sichuan North Road, where Miyue Ice City has gradually appeared. Miyue Ice City has indeed achieved ”surrounding cities with rural areas.”

”Conquering” Modu’s core shopping districts

Lu Sha (pseudonym), born in the 90s, recently changed to a new job located in an office building near Lujiazui. On the first day of work, after busily completing various procedures, she realized her new colleagues had already placed a large cup of drink on her desk—not Xicha or Nayuki, nor Starbucks or Manner’s latte, but a cup of Miyue Ice City’s lemon water.

”I was shocked to learn this drink only costs 4 yuan, it’s unimaginable that there is such an affordable tea shop in Lujiazui, and the taste is very refreshing for summer. It’s perfect for the end of the month when funds are tight.” Lu Sha told Times Week reporter on July 12.

Attracted to Miyue Ice City like Lu Sha, Xiaowang, who works at a multinational company in Lujiazui and was brainwashed by the Miyue Ice City theme song on Bilibili, came to the Miyue Ice City below Century Plaza during his lunch break. However, to his surprise, he was greeted by nothing but a crowd.

Although ordering can be done directly by scanning a mini-program code, after ordering, the long wait made him slightly impatient: ”The phone showed the drink was ready, but it was still not done on arrival. I just wanted to try it out, but if wasting so much time for a 3-yuan ice cream, honestly, it’s not worth it, and I probably won’t come again.”

While Xiaowang was complaining to Times Week reporter about the long wait time, Aunt Xu, who was also in line, appeared very calm: ”Today is a weekday, and getting it in 20 minutes is already fast, this store always has a line.”

In the past month, Miyue Ice City has gone viral across social platforms with its ”brainwashing God song,” and many consumers who had never heard of Miyue Ice City can now hum a tune like ”I love you, you love me, Miyue Ice City sweet and sweet.” But in fact, even before the theme song went viral, Miyue Ice City was better known for occupying the sinking market.