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@sohkamyung "Clearance" that requires a portable tracking device and the execution of proprietary software?

Is it really that big of a deal if someone from Singapore goes to visit Malaysia or vice versa, that every personal detail and the times crossed must be electronically spied on?

@Suiseiseki The QR code is used for clearing immigration, instead of showing a passport (or passports for a group of people).

The information collected is the same as if the travellers showed their physical passports at the border checkpoint, only faster, as the information has already been entered in the immigration system and just needs verification via the presented QR code.

ica.gov.sg/enter-transit-depar

ICAICA | Use of QR Code for Immigration Clearance at Woodlands and Tuas CheckpointsICA is responsible for the security of Singapore's borders against the entry of undesirable persons, cargo and conveyances through our land, air and sea checkpoints.
@sohkamyung Does everything really need to be spied on electronically?

It really takes only a few seconds to look at a passport and determine if it's a fake and to let someone through and that at least slightly respects peoples privacy.

But of course, instead of respecting their citizens privacy or freedom - they must spy on everything and find new ways to introduce more proprietary software into places (also, I reckon it's be far easier for a criminal to copy someone else's QR code and use that to get through the border than to steal a passport and pretend that as pictured is them).

@Suiseiseki I don't think it is that easy. When the QR code is presented at immigration, the immigration officer must still check the passport details that appear with the people that are physically present. Any mismatch in appearance or numbers would require more checks.

So, the process is no different from a criminal trying to use a stolen or forged physical passport.

BTW, Singapore's airport also doesn't do physical passport checks: it relies on biometrics at automated gates.