Coronavirus SA: QR code dramas as users complain about problems checking in amid ‘security upgrade’

A secret official update to the government’s QR code app is being blamed for glitches that frustrated the public amid warnings over falling use.

Users are asked to check in to every business or public facility they visit. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz

Dramas with the state’s QR code system have been blamed on a security overhaul amid concerns over public complacency using the government-managed technology.

Angry users have reported over recent days troubles using the coronavirus electronic monitoring app, unaware of a secret official update.

State Government officials said an “extra layer of security” was added to the encrypted data system by asking people to reconfirm mobile numbers.

But amid a public backlash similar upgrades will now occur every five months and not two.

Authorities say the QR app is designed for quick check-ins at businesses, by keeping a mobile number that people have registered with.

This prevents people from being forced to re-enter their number each time they check in. Authorities say users should use their app at every location with the special coding.

In response to inquiries, a spokesman for the Department of Premier and Cabinet, which manages the data, said users were advised to ensure their app was updated to ensure it worked “smoothly”.

South Australian Premier Steven Marshall checks in using a QR code at the Stag hotel, in the city’s east end. Picture: Kelly Barnes/Getty Images

“After an initial two month update to ensure users were receiving a safe and secure service when using the app, experts determined ongoing five-monthly updates would be sufficient,” he told The Advertiser on Monday.

“Given the revalidation occurs at a different time for each user depending on when they signed up, a blanket alert was not distributed to users.

“In most instances, the revalidation occurs with minimal, if any, issues.”

The drama came after the Sunday Mail revealed falling public use, prompting warnings from Police Commissioner Grant Stevens and Premier Steven Marshall.

Figures showed thousands fewer people are using the technology while check-ins have slumped.

Mr Marshall said while there was “quite a bit of variation” in code usage, he warned against complacency.

Asked what benchmark he would like with its use, he replied: “What we are encouraging people to do is to abide by the recommendation of (chief public health officer) Professor Nicola Spurrier whenever you go into a premises that has that QR code out front. Get your phone up to it as quickly as possible.

South Australian chief public health officer Nicola Spurrier. Picture: NCA NewsWire/David Mariuz

“It takes seconds. It’s not going to be a big inconvenience but what it will do is it will provide our contract tracers with all of the up-to-date information that we need.”

He said while he hoped it was not needed, it’s really important … it’s available 24/7.”

A police spokeswoman said there was no set level as it was difficult to predict usage on certain days.

Mr Stevens, the state COVID co-ordinator, said the codes were the state’s “insurance policy”.

“We just need everyone to remember that using the QR codes is a method for us to be able to keep all of this activity we’ve got going in the South Australian community,” he told FIVEaa Breakfast radio.

“Because we don’t want to do what other jurisdictions are doing … that is to suppress patron numbers in licensed premises, cafes, restaurants, limit the sorts of activities we can become involved in within the community, we want all those things to keep happening, so this is one of our insurance policies is use the QR codes.”

SA Health on Monday reported a new case, a traveller in his 20s from Pakistan, but tests are determining if he has an old infection as the state prepares to mark 1 million COVID-19 checks this week.

The man, who arrived at the weekend, is among three infectious patients at the Pullman medi-hotel.

All medi-hotel staff on Monday began daily saliva testing as SA Health took control of the city-based Tom’s Court Hotel, on King William Street, where all infectious patients will stay from next Monday.

Speaking at Lot 14 in the city where he announced Amazon’s new Adelaide office, Mr Marshall said authorities were always trying to stop infection spreading.

“Every time there is a new infection in a quarantine hotel either here in South Australia or any other part of the country we all share that data,” he said.

“We want to make sure that our hotel quarantine situation is as safe as possible.”

Originally published as Coronavirus SA: QR code dramas as users complain about problems checking in amid ‘security upgrade’