QR codes themselves do not inherently have the ability to track conversions. They are essentially a type of barcode that can store information such as URLs, contact details, or plain text. That is it.
If you want to add Google Analytics to your QR code you can generate the URL through GA and use that URL for your tracking. Not only is this more secure because you are not syncing your data to a 3rd party to simply give a URL you already have access to, but... its free.
You want the URL to be more secure? That is simple too and also for free. The easiest way to encrypt your URL it to use a website like Short URL.
QR codes themselves, being just a form of encoded plain text, do not inherently fall under GDPR compliance concerns. The GDPR compliance issues arise based on how the QR codes are used, particularly in how they direct users to interact with websites or digital content that may collect personal data. It would be like saying a link this > Fake Link is GDPR compliant or another example would be like saying my t-shirt is GDPR compliant lol well of course it is because it doesn't collect data (neither do QR codes) more info on that below.
Here's a breakdown of the considerations:
QR Code Content
- If a QR code simply encodes a URL that leads to a website, the QR code itself is just a tool for accessing that site, similar to clicking a link. The compliance concerns emerge based on what happens on that website, especially if the website collects, stores, or processes personal data of EU citizens.
Data Collection and Processing
- GDPR compliance becomes relevant when the website or platform the QR code links to collects personal data. For example, if the QR code leads to a landing page that collects personal information through forms, cookies, or tracking technologies like Google Analytics, those activities must comply with GDPR.
Consent and Transparency
- The key to GDPR compliance is how you obtain consent from users for data collection and processing, and how transparent you are about the use of their data. Websites must clearly inform users about the use of cookies and trackers, and obtain their explicit consent before collecting data, which includes data collected as a result of scanning a QR code. So no need for some special services, you just need to put this within your policy wherever the user is being directed to. You need to put this on your site regardless of what a QR Code company says about their links being GDPR compliant. Because as I said before QR codes are inherently compliant as the code doesn't actually to the collection
Anonymity of QR Codes
- Since QR codes can be scanned anonymously (without necessarily providing personal information just to access the content encoded in the QR code), the act of scanning a QR code is not in itself a GDPR concern. However, subsequent interactions or data collections initiated as a result of scanning the QR code need to be compliant. 😁
I am putting this here as I imagine there are a lot of sales pitches out there trying to get people to purchase services that aren't actually needed. If it wasn't so easy to be able to do it yourself for free I wouldn't suggest it and just tell you not to waste your time and pay. Because sometimes that is the case.
