A Kaikōura cafe owner is refusing to display a QR code for the NZ COVID Tracer app because it is a "breach of [her] rights" and she is concerned about the safety of her client's data.
Sharon Rayner, who operates Bean Me Up, has a sign in the window of her cafe that says: "No PayWave, no Wi-Fi, no QR code." It adds there are two alternate ways people can sign in: their sign-in register or manually on your phone.
All businesses and workplaces are legally required to display a NZ COVID Tracer app QR code at all alert levels. The sign must be at or near the entrance in a prominent place.
Rayner tells Newshub that the safety of herself, clients, and staff is of "utmost importance", and the sign in her window is to alert people who may only want to scan in with the app.
"The reason for the sign in my window is to alert any persons not wanting to use either of these alternate methods [register and manual sign-in] before entering the premises," she says.
She is concerned that both she and her clients will be "tracked" if they scan QR codes using the COVID Tracer app and is worried about where her data will go.
"My reasons for not having a QR code on my door is for the protection of my clients' data and personal details and for the protection of my own personal business details," Rayner says.
"I believe it is a breach of my rights to be forced to have a tech tracker on my business door."
The Ministry of Health's website says all data within the app stays on a person's phone where only they can see it unless they willingly share it with contact tracers. The information recorded includes QR codes that are scanned, manual diary entries, Bluetooth data, and your National Health Index number.
Digital diary entries are deleted after 60 days, while Bluetooth data is deleted after 14 days.
If you're identified as a confirmed or probable COVID-19 case, the Ministry of Health says it is up to you whether you share your digital diary or Bluetooth data.
"If you do choose to share your digital diary, it will never be used for enforcement purposes. It also won't be shared with another government agency unless that agency is directly involved in the COVID-19 response and sharing the information is necessary for public health purposes during the pandemic," the ministry's website says.
A Ministry of Health spokesperson told Newshub that it has received a complaint about Bean Me Up not displaying a QR code.
The complainant was directed to the COVID-19 police breach form.
