Maintaining Standards to Protect QR Codes

Barcodes, particularly in the form of 2D barcodes such as QR codes, play an increasingly critical role in the security and functionality of passports and ID cards. These codes are used to encode essential data that can be quickly scanned and verified, enhancing both the speed and accuracy of identity verification processes. But with the rise in barcode use comes the corresponding need to protect against illegal activities where fake codes can lead to significant personal and financial risks.

By 2025, more than 100 million smartphone users in the US will use a QR code scanner on their mobile devices, compared to 70.6 million in 20201. But how can citizens be sure that what they are scanning is legitimate? The steady growth in the use of smartphones to scan QR codes was accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic, mainly because of the necessity to scan health passes.