A Pune woman has alleged that her personal information was misused after she visited a restaurant on FC Road and used its QR-based menu system. The incident has triggered a wider discussion on customer privacy, digital ordering systems and how restaurants handle personal data collected during routine dining experiences.
Late-Night Messages Raise Concern
The woman, identified as Rishika Dutta, said she visited a restaurant in Pune on April 28, where customers used a QR-code menu system to view dishes and place orders. She said nothing appeared unusual during the visit, but the situation changed later that night.
Registration Begins for FutureCrime Summit 2026, India’s Largest Cybercrime Conference
According to Dutta, she received messages from an unknown number late at night. The messages were personal and unexpected, leading her to suspect that her phone number may have been accessed through the restaurant’s QR-based ordering system.
After checking, she claimed the sender was allegedly an employee at the same restaurant she had visited earlier. Screenshots shared online appeared to show the person asking personal questions and attempting to start a conversation.
Post on Instagram Draws Attention
Dutta shared the incident on Instagram, where it quickly gained attention. In her post, she wrote, “Got a late-night text from a number I didn’t recognise- turns out visiting a certain spot on FC Road came with more than just a good time. Your data shouldn’t follow you home. Stay aware!!”
The post was widely circulated, with many users expressing concern over the privacy risks linked to digital menus and QR-based ordering systems. Several users supported Dutta for speaking out and said the incident highlighted an important issue in everyday digital transactions.
One user described it as the correct use of social media, while another said the matter had brought attention to a serious aspect of digital menus. Other comments raised broader concerns about privacy and the increasing dependence on digitised restaurant systems.
Restaurant Says Action Taken
Dutta said she contacted the restaurant management and reported the matter. She was told that the employee involved had been removed from all branches. However, she said the management did not provide written confirmation of the action taken and did not issue a formal apology.
In response to the allegations, the restaurant posted a statement in the comments section. It apologised for the incident and said immediate action had been taken. The company also said customer safety and privacy were important to them and that internal systems would be improved to prevent such incidents in future.
The case has prompted renewed questions about what happens to customer data when QR menus and digital ordering platforms are used. Some social media users also urged Dutta to consider formal legal action and file a police complaint against the person involved.
