Boarding Passes: Keeping Your Personal Information Confidential

Although barcode technology has brought about numerous benefits for the travel check-in process, concerns have arisen regarding the personal details that are stored within those barcodes and the risks posed to those individuals. Various reports have cited that trip details, frequent flyer data, future flight information and personal information may be accessible using barcode and QR code scanners readily available on the Internet. While this typically doesn’t pose a major concern to most individuals, the potential for that information to be used for malicious purposes should be considered. 

The social media revolution and near-daily occurrence of individuals posting images detailing their plans, including current or upcoming travel, contributes to concerns, as it has become increasingly easier for others to access personal information. This should be taken into consideration when, for instance, posting pictures of boarding passes on social media platforms to show excitement for upcoming travel; malicious individuals trolling sites for opportunities to exploit vulnerable or easily accessible information may use those pictures to access personal data. This could lead to more problematic developments, including identify theft, or less severe but inconvenient actions, such as changes or cancellations to flight itineraries. 

In many ways, current technology makes life, business and travel significantly easier in comparison to the recent past, but with these advancements comes unintended opportunities for misuse. Being cognizant of these risks and seeking to avoid actions that create vulnerabilities will help minimize potential hazards. Whether a seasoned and frequent traveler or someone who is taking their first flight, being knowledgeable about the hidden dangers of the boarding pass barcode technology will help ensure successful trips and safeguard one’s personal information.