Making all kinds of monetary transactions by using the QR code is common in China. Registrations, scanning codes and similar digital processes have become essential for consumption. But the growing popularity of the payment method has also brought some worries such as security issues, personal information leakage and unfair market competition. 

Take restaurant ordering, for example. Customers who want to order food at a restaurant are asked to scan a code, which makes them followers of the restaurant's WeChat account automatically. Then they are bombarded with advertisements long after they have eaten and gone. Some restaurants even ask customers to provide their phone number and address.

The Cyberspace Administration of China and three other regulatory agencies issued a document on March 22 to crack down on excessive collection of personal data by mobile apps.

The local governments should improve the legal system to protect consumers' personal information, and increase penalties for restaurants illegally collecting and using such information.

This is an edited excerpt of an article originally published in Guancha.gmw.cn on March 29  

(Print Edition Title: Protecting Consumers)