Hackers claim they cracked Quebec's vaccination QR codes; government says they're 'completely secure'
There are new privacy and security concerns over the QR codes given out to Quebecers as proof of vaccination.
A cyber security team of experts tested whether or not it could crack the codes and they say they were able to do so fairly easily.
While the roll-out of the QR codes has already begun, only a few details have been released about how and when they will be used.
Health minister Christian Dubé has said that if the epidemiological situation deteriorates in Quebec, the QR codes will be required for residents to access some non-essential services, such as bars and gyms.
The government said it hopes to never have to use the digital proof of vaccination for such a reason and is instead relying, quite desperately, on the population to get their two doses of the vaccine by Aug. 31.
Recently, a team of cybersecurity experts got together to test the security and safety of the QR codes sent to hundreds of thousands of Quebecers so far.
The so-called “ethical hackers” were able to crack the codes using a fairly rudimentary program that decodes the visual symbols.
Those involved in the hack are asking why the government did not opt for a more robust security method involving encryption, which is far more difficult to crack.
“There are a lot of people that say, in social media, we’re already giving that (kind of personal) information. The thing is we’re giving this information voluntarily to a private company,” said Patrick Mathieu, co-founder of Hackfest, billed as the largest hacking event in Canada.
“(But) now it’s the government forcing us to access a public space or private event. Facebook doesn’t require you to give your information when you want to go to a cinema, but the government might ask you to do so.”
Even if the QR codes are never needed to be used within the province, they can be shown abroad when travelling to countries, such as those in Europe, that require proof of vaccination for entry.
In a statement, the ministry of health said the QR code is “completely secure and the government would “never put Quebecers’ data at risk.”
“The Ministry of Health is studying and following international standards in this major operation. And for double authentication, the QR code will have to be accompanied by a proof of identity on site. The QR code is designed to be read and is unencrypted, in accordance with the international standard determined by the WHO, a position supported by the VCI (Vaccination Credential Initiative) for Smart Health Card (a group of public and private organizations),” the statement read.
“The QR code is not forgeable. It contains an encrypted signature from the Quebec government. It does not constitute proof of identity. Therefore, to avoid fraud or identity theft, the QR code must be combined with proof of identity.”
The ministry added that there are still several weeks of testing left to iron out technical details of the QR code program.
Mathieu said the current codes were relatively easy to create and that encrypted codes would require more elaborate set-ups, but would require more people and more money to develop.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.