The woman, identified as Rishika Dutta, posted on Instagram that what began as a routine dining experience on April 28 allegedly turned into a disturbing privacy issue later that night.
According to her account, she scanned a QR code placed on her table to access the restaurant’s digital menu, a system increasingly adopted by eateries in place of printed menus. She later claimed she began receiving messages from an unknown number.
Curious about the sender’s identity, she reportedly engaged in conversation and discovered that the person worked at the same restaurant she had visited earlier.
Dutta alleged that her phone number may have been accessed through the QR-based system used at the outlet. She shared screenshots in her video showing the individual initiating a conversation, asking personal questions such as her age and attempting to connect further.
She said the incident left her uncomfortable, especially since she had not directly shared her number with any staff member during her visit. Following the exchange, she informed the restaurant management. According to her, the restaurant stated that the employee had been terminated from all its branches. However, she further claimed that no termination letter or formal apology email was provided when requested.
Raising concerns about digital privacy, she urged users to be cautious while scanning QR codes in public places. In her caption, she wrote, “Your data shouldn’t follow you home,” emphasizing awareness about how personal information may be handled.
The incident has triggered widespread discussion online, with users divided over QR-based systems in restaurants. Some expressed concern and said they would be more cautious in the future, while others highlighted the importance of safer digital payment practices.
One user commented that they now prefer letting friends scan QR codes to avoid sharing personal details, while another said the incident validated their discomfort with such systems. Others suggested that users take additional precautions, including using customizable payment IDs that do not reveal phone numbers.
The viral post has once again brought attention to concerns around data privacy, especially as QR code-based ordering and payment systems become more common in restaurants and retail spaces.
