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QR-Verse
Privacy for Scanners

Your Privacy When Scanning QR Codes

You scanned a QR-Verse QR code. This page explains exactly what data is collected during that scan, what is never stored, and what your rights are. We believe in full transparency.

No Personal Data
No Tracking Cookies
GDPR Compliant

What Happens When You Scan

Scanning a QR-Verse code is a simple three-step redirect. There is no login, no form, no tracking page between you and your destination.

1

You scan the QR code

Your phone camera reads the QR code pattern and recognizes a URL. Nothing is sent to QR-Verse yet at this stage.

2

Your device connects to our redirect server

Your browser makes a brief request to QR-Verse's redirect server (hosted in Germany). This is when the anonymous scan event is logged.

3

You arrive at the destination within milliseconds

You are immediately forwarded to the final URL set by the QR code creator. The redirect is complete - no page is shown, no script runs.

What We Collect

We collect a small set of anonymous, aggregate data points with every scan. None of this can identify you personally.

Device type

Mobile, tablet, or desktop - for analytics reports

No device ID stored

City-level location

Derived from your IP address - for geographic reports

IP address never stored

Timestamp

Date and time of the scan - for time-based analytics

No timezone tracking

Referrer

Where the scan came from (e.g., camera app) - for source tracking

General source only

Browser & OS type

Browser family and operating system - for compatibility reports

No version fingerprinting

All collected data is anonymous aggregate data. It cannot be linked to any individual person.

What We Never Collect

These data points are never collected, stored, or processed by QR-Verse, regardless of the QR code you scanned.

Your name, email address, or any personal information

Your browsing history before or after the scan

Your exact GPS location (only city-level from IP)

Cookies or browser fingerprints for cross-site tracking

Your phone number, contacts, or device identifiers

Photos, files, or any content on your device

How Scan Data Is Used

Anonymous scan data serves two purposes only. It is never monetized or shared.

By QR code creators

  • Anonymous scan counts per code
  • Geographic distribution of scans
  • Device type breakdown
  • Time-based scan patterns

By QR-Verse

  • Aggregate service improvement
  • Uptime and performance monitoring
  • Abuse detection (spam QR codes)
  • Infrastructure capacity planning

Never used for

  • Selling data to advertisers
  • Sharing with third parties
  • Building user profiles
  • Retargeting or remarketing

Zero Third-Party Trackers on Scan Pages

Most QR code services load tracking scripts on their redirect pages. QR-Verse does not.

QR-Verse redirect pages load zero third-party scripts

No Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, or ad networks on redirect pages

Redirects are processed server-side - minimal client-side exposure

Comparison: many QR services load 10+ trackers on redirect pages

Your Rights

Even as a scanner (not a QR-Verse user), you have rights regarding data collected when you scan a QR code.

Right to know

You have the right to know what data is collected. This page is that disclosure.

Anonymous by design

Scan data is anonymous and cannot be linked to you personally. GDPR Recital 26 exempts truly anonymous data.

No consent required

Because data is anonymous and cannot identify you, no consent banner is required for anonymous analytics under GDPR.

EU-hosted infrastructure

All QR-Verse servers are hosted on Hetzner in Germany. Your data never leaves the EU.

Privacy questions? Contact us at [email protected]

Frequently Asked Questions

Does scanning a QR code give the creator access to my phone?
No. Scanning a QR code only opens a URL in your browser - the same as typing a web address. The QR code creator cannot access your phone, its storage, camera, contacts, or any other data.
Can the QR code creator see my personal information?
No. QR code creators on QR-Verse only see anonymous, aggregate analytics: total scan counts, country-level distribution, device types, and scan timing. They cannot see your name, email, IP address, or any personal data.
Are cookies placed on my device when I scan a QR code?
No. QR-Verse redirect URLs do not set any cookies on your device. The redirect is handled entirely server-side. You will not find any QR-Verse cookies in your browser after scanning.
Is it safe to scan QR codes in general?
QR-Verse QR codes are safe - they only redirect to URLs set by verified creators. However, be cautious with QR codes from unknown sources, as malicious QR codes from any service could direct you to phishing sites. Always check the URL shown before proceeding.
Can a QR code install malware on my phone?
A QR code itself cannot install malware - it is just a URL. However, a malicious URL could lead to a phishing site. Modern smartphone browsers are sandboxed and prevent automatic downloads or installations. Always be cautious if prompted to install anything after scanning.
What if I scanned a suspicious QR code?
If you scanned a QR-Verse code that redirected you somewhere suspicious, please report it to [email protected]. We take abuse reports seriously and will investigate and deactivate malicious QR codes immediately.
Does QR-Verse sell scan data?
Never. QR-Verse does not sell, rent, broker, or share individual or aggregate scan data with any third party for commercial purposes. Scan data is used exclusively to provide analytics to QR code creators and improve our service.
How is this different from other QR code services?
Many QR code services load third-party tracking scripts (Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, advertising networks) on their redirect pages, exposing you to cross-site tracking. QR-Verse redirects happen server-side with zero third-party scripts. We also store only anonymous aggregate data - not individual scan records.
GDPR Compliant

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