Scotland’s Covid passport scheme has a loophole that leaves the system open to fraud, an app expert has warned.
Venues are expected to check whether customers are double-vaccinated by scanning a QR code which people can download using a government app.
But there is no requirement in new regulations to check the ID of the holder of the code, meaning someone who is unvaccinated can use a code downloaded by a friend who has been.
Mike Rhodes, founder of ConsultMyApp, said: “You can download a PDF from this app with a QR code so there is nothing to stop somebody sending that PDF to a mate who’s not been vaccinated.
“The clubs are not going to verify that person matches that QR code. All the staff need to do is scan it with their phone and that’s it, you go in.
“Staff don’t have to ask your date of birth, or anything else. They just accept that as you have the QR code you’re vaccinated.
“The reality is people who are not vaccinated and who really want to go out are still going to go out.”
A third of 18 to 29-year-olds and a quarter of 30 to 39-year-olds haven’t been double jagged.
The Scottish Government said: “Covid certification is a proportionate way of encouraging people to get vaccinated, and also of helping large events and night-time hospitality to keep operating during what will potentially be a very difficult winter.”
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