Shanghai has introduced "clean" QR codes for parking fee payments at 462 shopping malls, a significant move following a clampdown by local authorities on the excessive collection of personal information in 2023.

This initiative ensures that every major shopping mall's parking lot across the city's 16 districts will use these privacy-protecting QR codes, marking a citywide achievement in personal information protection.

The push for reform began after investigations in late July revealed privacy issues in nearly half the 140 shopping malls surveyed.

Consumers were often compelled to join mandatory membership programs or divulge personal details such as names and phone numbers upon scanning QR codes to complete parking payments.

Additionally, some malls were deceitfully prompting consumers to subscribe to their official WeChat accounts, with a few demanding WeChat and Alipay credentials.

With the adoption of clean QR codes, drivers can enter their vehicle license plate number, proceed with payment, and exit the parking facility within 10 seconds, significantly simplifying the payment process while safeguarding privacy.

This initiative, which started with a pilot group of 64 malls, expanded to 462 malls in a period of six months.

Looking forward, Shanghai plans to extend this streamlined and secure parking payment method to other sectors, including hotels, hospitals, parks, and tourist attractions, aiming for comprehensive coverage across the city's major parking facilities.

Source: people.com.cn, shanghai.gov.cn, "shanghaifabu" WeChat account