How can you change information that is in a QR code? Here's how...

You may not know this nifty thing about QR codes

QR codes are ubiquitous. It has become routine today to use a QR code for everything from a marketing coupon to an insurance policy document, on an international passport to a company ID card. However, most of these QR codes have one big drawback for the issuer.

Typically, once such static information or data is embedded or printed in a QR code, there can be no change. While this is still useful, some additional benefits and fantastic possibilities that can come from changing this information, is lost. But wait a minute! It is possible to change the information in the QR code in an authorised manner and benefit from the additional possibilities unlocked due to this. Let’s see how

How can you change information that is already printed as a QR code? Here’s how

1. Secure Information is embedded into a QR code, and the QR code is printed on a physical document or in electronic format. The verifier scans the QR code and gets the specific information that is intended to be read by the recipient.

updation of information in secure QR

2. Now - what happens if the status or content of the information has since changed - e.g., - expiry of insurance policy, change of ownership or penalty of points on a driving licence? There is an answer. Such new information is updated remotely at the back end so that it shows up into the same QR code that is already issued and can be physically printed on a document or issued in electronic format. When the verifier scans the “old” QR code next time after the change, they get the updated information, that is now intended to be read by the recipient. This is called QR updation and serves a very useful purpose.

Where can such a feature be used?

The possibilities are endless

• Insurance companies - when insurance policy details are changed/updated

• Inventory Management where the base material undergoes value addition at each stage

• Identity cards, Driving licences and such documents - where validity period etc. changes

• Marksheets & transcripts updated after revaluation

• The creditworthiness of a company or individual

• Trade finance documents

• Health Cards and Laboratory reports

• Coupons and Marketing materials

The opportunities are endless. If you are an organisation that looks to change the content and information embedded in a QR code dynamically and on the fly, then this is how you can do it with secure QR codes. Reach out to us here

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