Queensland cafes, restaurants and pubs will soon have to use the state government's coronavirus check-in app — or face penalties.
Just a month after launching the check-in Queensland app, the government yesterday announced it will be mandatory for "most" hospitality venues from May 1, to streamline contact tracing ability.
While it is a valuable tool for contact tracers, a civil libertarian has raised privacy concerns.
Here's what we know.
What's the app?
The state government's check in Queensland QR-code app was rolled out last month.
It came after other states, including New South Wales and the ACT, launched similar apps.
The rationale was that it would offer a "safe" and "consistent" check-in app.
Users download the app, then sign in at a participating venue by scanning the code — after one use, the app remembers the user's details.
"Having a single app that doesn't require you to re-enter your details every time you go somewhere has been very welcomed," Deputy Premier Steven Miles said yesterday.
Since launching last month, the government said the app has been downloaded 1.2 million times and used 3.8 million times.
More than 13,500 businesses have registered.
Currently, the use of the app is optional, however that will change for pubs, clubs and restaurants as of May 1.
Who is impacted?
"Most" hospitality venues – in other words, pubs, restaurants and cafes will need to use it.
Mr Miles said licensed clubs that used ID scanning would still have the choice of using that for their record keeping.
"Although we urge them to have both systems side by side," he said.
The government is urging businesses not to leave it until the last minute and register ahead of the May 1 deadline.
Registrations are generally processed within three business days.
Why the change?
All hospitality businesses are already required to collect and store customer's details electronically for contact tracing.
But Mr Miles said making this particular app mandatory for pubs, clubs and restaurants would "allow for greater consistency, better access of data, and a more convenient user experience".
Health authorities have used data from the app to contact people at risk.
What if a businesses doesn't register?
The business activities directive will be updated to make it mandatory from May 1.
Failure to comply with public health directions can lead to a $13,345 fine or six months imprisonment.
What about privacy concerns?
According to the government, records are kept securely.
It said data collected via the app was stored securely for 56 days and was "only accessed for contact tracing purposes".
But Queensland Council for Civil Liberties (QCCL) president Michael Cope was "extremely concerned" about the government's decision to make it mandatory "without adequate privacy protection".
He said the government should introduce specific legislation – like was done for the Australian Government's COVID Safe app – "limiting the use of the data collected and providing for its destruction".
He said that should include prohibiting access by law enforcement to the data, including by subpoena or warrant.
"We have already seen that the Singapore TraceTogether App … can be accessed by police in the course of a criminal investigation," he said.
"This is despite assurances that the app would only be used for contact tracing.
"QCCL strongly opposes the use of information gathered for health purpose for law enforcement or any other additional purpose, the use of the check-in app should not be made mandatory until this legislation is passed."
A spokesperson from the Department of Communities, Housing and Digital Economy said since in a statement the app was developed to support businesses and venues in meeting their legal obligation to electronically collect patron attendance details.
"As per the Check-in Qld Privacy Policy, customer information collected through the Check-In Qld app is encrypted and managed via secure storage in the existing Queensland government data analytics platform," the spokesperson said.
"Data collected is deleted after 56 days, a verified and irreversible process inbuilt into this secure storage system."
The spokesperson said the app's privacy notice and policy was developed in consultation with the Privacy Commissioner to ensure compliance with the Information Privacy Act, and disclosure obligations under the Information Privacy Principles.
"Prior to launching the Check in Qld App, a Human Rights Assessment was also undertaken," the spokesperson said.
What have others said?
United Workers Union Queensland state secretary Gary Bullock said the key for all workplaces was to be on the same page.
"As we have just experienced, snap lockdowns are still occurring and the workplaces are still needing to close with little to no notice to keep the community safety from further outbreak," he said.
"The check-in Queensland app provides one source for contact tracing, streamlining the contact tracing process when cases arise. This will assist in both preventing and reducing the time businesses are closed."
Queensland Hotels Association Chief Executive Bernie Hogan echoed his support.
"Queensland Hotels will be supporting our members right across the state to implement the check-in Queensland app as soon as possible, to allow Queenslanders to get back to their local or other hospitality businesses as soon as possible," he said.
Could it be expanded to other industries?
Yes.
While the government is starting with hospitality, it has signalled other industries could be considered later.
Examples include libraries, banks, hairdressers, hardware shops, schools, cinemas, service stations, tourism or entertainment venues.
