If my phone has something like this I would have turned it off when first going over a new phones settings. It's one of the first things I do. Go through every single menu I can find and turn off stuff I don't want. Something constantly using my camera to scan for QR codes is definitely something I will turn off. Just like say "Face ID".
Who thinks those are good ideas?
For the record I have scanned exactly 0 QR codes in my life.
You are aware that this is happening locally on your phone, right?
I have no idea whatsoever what caused you to dislike QR codes, but I kinda want to hear the story. Face Id, I can kinda see as a pin might be more secure.
Technology and software are awesome! After all, I build this stuff myself.
I also see how these things are built. I see how the sausage is made. Sometimes, when you see how the sausage was made, it can sour you. Even if you maybe didn't see how that specific sausage was made. Also, always beware of what the sausage might get used for other than the "intended purpose".
I never understood the premise for QR codes. You're trying to send me to some URL, create an SMS w/ some pre-defined text, automatically follow someone on Twitter or whatever and a bunch of other things. Until I scan the code I have no idea what it will actually do. I don't generally trust something like that not to be used for nefarious purposes. We teach people to be careful what links they click on and such. Here we teach them the opposite. If someone sticks a QR code in front of your face, just scan it! Now you can say that no restaurant ever would send you to a URL that then exploits a flaw in your browser and that there are way easier ways to compromise a system. Fair enough. Doesn't mean I have to start using QR codes for things that worked perfectly well in a non-QR code world.
Now the GP also said that restaurant people tell you to "just point your camera to it". This would indicate that there's an always on camera scanning my surroundings constantly to figure out if there's a QR code there. Frankly if that was actually the case, that would be super creepy. That is why I would disable such a function right away. Even if it's "just happening locally". Sounds a bit like that whole "they only scan your device for inappropriate pictures locally, nothing to worry about". Now combine that w/ all the new rage in "e-health" where you don't have to go stand in line for hours to see a doctor: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=32560361 ("Google refuses to reinstate account after man took medical images of son’s groin").
This is exactly the kind of thing I am worried about w/ any of these "advances" in technology. "The road to hell is paved with good intentions".
Who thinks those are good ideas?
For the record I have scanned exactly 0 QR codes in my life.