SQRC

Also called: Secure QR code, SQRC code

Definition

SQRC is a DENSO WAVE QR code with a private data section that only readers holding the right cryptographic key can decode. Its public part reads like a normal QR code.

Public and private data in one code

An SQRC looks like an ordinary QR code, but it can carry two kinds of data. The public part is readable by any standard QR scanner. The private part is encrypted and can only be read by a scanner configured with the matching key.

This lets a single printed code serve two audiences. A customer might see a product page or a reference number, while an authorized handheld reader in a warehouse also sees internal details that were never visible to the public.

Typical uses and limits

SQRC is used where a code must travel on public items but hold information that should stay internal, such as ID cards, internal tracking, or documents with personal details. Reading the private section requires compatible readers and key management from the vendor.

Encryption protects the hidden data from being read, but it does not stop someone from photocopying the whole code. If copying is a concern, the reader or back-end system needs its own checks.

Frequently asked questions

Can a normal phone read an SQRC?

A normal scanner reads only the public part, if one is included. The private part needs a reader that holds the correct cryptographic key.

Does SQRC stop counterfeit copies?

Not by itself. It keeps the private data unreadable to others, but an exact copy of the printed code can still be scanned.

Sources and standards

All terms