QR Code News: A Recap of Interesting QR Use Cases in 2024
QR code news stories in 2024 are colored with a wide variety of different use cases.
They’ve made their way into McDonald’s limited-edition anime packaging, on the back of global pop star Katy Perry, and many more.
We’ve compiled stories of how real brands, organizations, and celebrities wield
QR code generator software to their advantage.
Keep reading to see how far we’ve really come in the world of QR codes.
Table of Contents
- A roundup of this year’s top QR code news headlines
- I. QR codes in brand campaigns
- II. QR codes in pop culture
- III. QR code generator innovations around the globe
- IV. Latest developments on QR code tech
- V. QR code use cases in the United States
- Top QR code trends in 2024
- QR code challenges that need more attention in 2025
- Eyes here: The latest in QR code innovations
- FAQs
Why are QR codes becoming popular?
It should come as no surprise that the ever-evolving Quick Response (QR) code has secured its place as an imperative tool for quick information-sharing in recent years.
Besides its ability to smooth over everyday inconveniences, it has transformed modern marketing strategies, streamlined supply chain tracking, and helped promote sustainability efforts.
QR codes are here to stay, whether that’s on product packaging or in creative cameos in films, because they’re easy to make, market, and share with a wide audience.
A roundup of this year’s top QR code news headlines
Have a look at some of 2024’s most noteworthy QR code moments:
I. QR codes in brand campaigns
WcDonald’s anime-themed QR code
McDonald’s, a well-known fast-food chain, launched an immersive campaign celebrating a global love for anime and manga. The WcDonalds campaign is inspired by the parody name often appearing in anime.
This is in an attempt to avoid trademark issues. It features an inverted “M,” found in anime series dating back to the 1980s, and appears in some iconic productions, such as “A Silent Voice” and “The Devil is a Part-Timer.”
QR codes are a special element in the WcDonald’s campaign, placed on the limited-edition packaging and merging anime enthusiasts with a mix of exclusive content and artful storytelling.
Four Peaks Brewing Co. encourages recycling via QR codes
Four Peaks Brewing Company is an Arizona brewery that partnered with Can I Recycle This (CIRT) to promote recycling. This initiative is driven by a commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.
How do they achieve this? They add QR codes on Four Peaks product packaging to give consumers convenient access to CIRT’s website, which details location-specific recycling information.
Each QR code has a caption that says, “PLEASE RECYCLE—IT’D BE A LOT COOLER IF YOU DID,” enticing users to scan and find appropriate handling of items based on their area’s waste management standards.
Fahlo QR code reshapes wildlife conservation
Fahlo is another brand that cares about positively impacting the world. Its bracelets, made out of sea glass, raise awareness and funds for conserving the planet’s wildlife.
The technology behind these bracelets involves non-invasive tracking devices attached to animals, which send location information to the Fahlo Animal Tracker app.
Each bracelet comes with an introduction card to an animal, complete with its name, first sighting, and a QR code that users can scan to see the general movements of the sponsored animal.
These bracelets, equipped with accessible QR codes, help foster curiosity about the natural world and motivate more people to protect it.
Jupiler QR code for EuroCup 2024
The Belgian Red Devils tasted victory in the 2024 UEFA European Football Championship (EuroCup 2024). To celebrate this massive feat, Jupiler, a favorite Belgian beer brand, showcases the players on its cans beside a QR code.
A Jupiler QR code isn’t all about quenching your thirst but represents a steadfast, long-enduring partnership with the national team. Where does it lead? It invites users to play games, win exclusive prizes, and stay up-to-date on the EuroCup 2024.
NYX x Cardi B collab commercial featuring a QR code
American rapper Cardi B made waves at this year’s Super Bowl with her collaboration with NYX for a commercial incorporating QR codes.
The ad directs viewers to explore NYX’s product range and a QR code showcasing Cardi’s playful nature.
II. QR codes in pop culture
Taylor Swift’s QR code mural in Chicago
Taylor Swift needs no introduction. This global superstar has documented her life through her music as early as 2003 and has become known for the metaphors and double meanings embedded in her lyrics.
On April 15, preceding her new album, Tortured Poets Department, a QR code appeared on a mural in Chicago. Intriguing, right? Swifties thought so, as seen in their online theories about what was to come.
This QR code marketing strategy involves cleverly hidden clues. Upon scanning the code, fans receive a 13-second YouTube short displaying “Error 321” and an indistinct number 13—her lucky number.
Usher’s Apple Music QR code at the Super Bowl Halftime Show
The Super Bowl, the National Football League’s (NFL) annual championship game, is one of the most-watched sporting events in the world and among entertainment’s biggest stages.
Usher, the king of R&B, performed at the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show. Through an Apple Music QR code, listeners could find the singer’s curated “My Road to Halftime” playlist.
Katy Perry’s QR code back tattoo at the VMAs
Katy Perry, an American pop star, displayed a stroke of marketing genius as she graced the VMAs black carpet in a white ensemble and donned a (fake) QR code tattoo on her lower back.
QR code trends come and go, yet this one seems to have stuck. Since re-entering the music scene after a brief hiatus, this stunt has led people to keep the pre-order date of her new album, 143, in mind.
Shakira’s QR surprise at Times Square
Shakira is another gorgeous star making a comeback after a seven-year hiatus. On March 26, she made a dazzling surprise appearance at New York City’s Time Square, attracting a crowd of over 40,000 people.
The Latin pop icon made her return extra special by flaunting an album ad QR code on a billboard, leading fans to the singer’s complete set of songs on Apple Music or YouTube Music.
This proved to be a smart move on Shakira’s part, allowing fans to interact with her album, Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran, and uniquely reconnect with the artist.
Katy Perry’s QR code at Paris Fashion Week
If you thought the VMAs were the last of Perry’s QR tattoos, you thought wrong. At Paris Fashion Week, the most anticipated fashion event of the year, Perry appeared in an all-black Balenciaga ensemble.
The Spring 2025 show saw more than interesting silhouettes and a flurry of fabric as Perry turned heads with a QR code tattoo on the palm of her hand.
As a follow-up to her album preorder QR code, this one leads to a dedicated page featuring her fourth track, ‘I’M HIS, HE’S MINE,’ and links to exclusive merchandise to her now-released album, 143.
The latest Marvel QR code sparks mixed feelings among fans
Marvel Comics, home to some of today’s most beloved superheroes, released details on X-Men’s From the Ashes era, where some classic characters fulfill their long-awaited fates.
The series, including X-MEN #1, NYX #1, PHOENIX #1, and X-FORCE #1, launched in July 2024. To top off this exciting news, readers could access exclusive content via a Marvel QR code found on the final pages of selected issues.
This caused a stir of mixed reactions, as some fans mistook the codes as a replacement for the last pages of the comic and a move toward a more digital format.
However, Marvel’s Vice President Tom Brevoort has since clarified that the codes were always meant to be supplementary to the printed content, assuring fans that the comics remain the same as they’ve always been.
Simon Cowell’s hunt for talent with QR codes
Simon Cowell, known for his cutthroat role as a judge on American Idol, is also a talent agent constantly on the hunt for his next big star.
Since having a hand in forming the hugely successful boyband One Direction during X Factor, he dreams of making it happen a second time.
"Every generation deserves a megastar boy band and I don't think there has been one to have the success of One Direction in over 14 years,” Cowell says.
His plan? A billboard saying “Simon Needs You” beside his face. It also features a QR code, which acts as a digital open call for anyone to upload their auditions and shoot their shot at found fame.
The Penguin’s hidden QR code Easter egg
HBO released The Penguin, a highly anticipated spin-off sequel to The Batman (2022), on September 19. It starts off strong by igniting intrigue with a hidden Easter egg in the very first episode.
Sharp-eyed viewers were quick to point out the QR code and reveal its destination—gothamstrueface.com, which almost immediately redirects to the Rataldaa site.
There, the site shows a message implying an imminent “revolution” and mayhem from the release of inmates at Blackgate Penitentiary.
This QR code surprise was a welcome addition, with fans expressing their appreciation for the story’s interactive element and its open-ended message.
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III. QR code generator innovations around the globe
Singapore makes edible 3D QR codes
Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) researchers Cheng Pau Lee, Marvin Jian Yi Ng, Nicole Min Yu Chian, and Minchinao Hashimoto developed ingenious 3D food printing tech.
“Our technology can be used to 3D-print foods consisting of multiple materials without compromising the printed structures and appearance,” said lead researcher Dr. Lee Cheng Pau.
He adds, “It can be applied in creating meals tailored to individual dietary needs, aesthetically pleasing dishes, and interactive food experiences such as edible QR codes.”
This innovation gives us a sneak peek into the future of novel food experiences, potentially changing how we learn and enjoy food.
Japan-ASEAN launches a QR code payment system
Japan, known for being a giant in the tech space, is teaming up with ASEAN nations to release a cross-border QR code payment system that improves transactions for foreign travelers.
This initiative is led by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). Its vision is to use digitized solutions to tackle inconveniences in the travel experience.
METI is all hands on deck with what they call the Japan QR code (JPQR), a unified payment system that allows consumers to pay through any service by scanning a code.
Ukraine’s Reserve+ app has a QR code upgrade
Ukraine’s Reserve+ app now has digital military IDs with QR codes for easy verification. The registration process for over 1.6 million users is now made simple.
This QR code update supports the country’s mobilization efforts under new laws requiring men between 18 and 60 to update their registration. The app lets users make remote updates, ensuring accessibility for citizens at home and abroad.
Ambani wedding secures guest entry with QR codes
The extravagant three-day wedding of Anant Ambani, son of billionaire Mukesh Ambani, was the very definition of opulence and grandeur, featuring a guest list of the rich and powerful.
With guests who required high surveillance and security measures, the Ambanis secured the event using QR codes. They also had color-coded wristbands that helped manage and observe guest movement.
The color of a guest’s band was associated with their access level to different venue areas, lessening the risk of unauthorized entry at this high-profile event. This blend of tradition and modern technology could only spell success.
IV. Latest developments on QR code tech
The world’s smallest QR code
In other QR code news, the world’s tiniest QR code was born.
Researchers from Pennsylvania State University (PSU) and Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) put their heads together to create a microscopic, infrared QR code.
This tech is bioinspired by the brochosomes, a camouflage effect produced by leafhoppers, to recreate the nanoscale structures of the insect and transform them into a QR code.
Achieving this incredible feat is only the beginning, as it poses real-life implications for advancing encrypted data and security.
QR TIGER develops a GS1 QR code generator
QR TIGER is an advanced QR code maker and industry leader that understands the ever-growing nature of QR codes and their consistent adoption across businesses worldwide.
Now, with an easy-to-use GS1 QR code platform, they cater to the impending shift toward 2D barcodes for universal product identification and supply chain tracking, referred to as Sunrise 2027.
This answers for the limited data capacity and variety of EAN and UPC barcodes. The welcoming of and strict compliance with GS1 Standards will ensure more accurate and reliable product information-sharing.
Meta’s Ray-Ban glasses get several new smart features
Meta is a company led by CEO Mark Zuckerberg and is known for owning Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. This year, Meta came out with interesting Ray-Ban smart updates.
And what do these smart updates entail? AI-driven video processing, language translation, and a QR code scan feature. This feature, in particular, offers various real-world applications, such as instant payments and access to information.
Meta’s smart Ray-Ban glasses are now a portal to new, immersive experiences that change the game for wearable tech.
QR TIGER launches a form builder with built-in QR codes
QR TIGER was clearly on a roll this year, deploying two new QR-powered platforms close together. Their all-in-one online form builder with built-in codes, TIGER FORM, is a welcome addition to the company’s growing QR ecosystem.
Where TIGER FORM differs from existing online form platforms like Google Forms lies in the focus on data privacy. Sensitive data and personal customer information are kept secure, attracting industries like construction and marketing.
V. QR code use cases in the United States
CBS News QR code during the Vice Presidential debate
The appearance of QR codes in the news was a move made by CBS in light of the Vice Presidential Debate broadcast. QR codes were integrated to enable viewers quick access to real-time fact-checking by a team of twenty CBS journalists.
In a political climate rife with misinformation, this innovation helped address doubts and concerns without interrupting or distracting from the debate itself.
Oklahoma State University makes donations via QR codes
Oklahoma State University (OSU) introduced QR codes on their football team’s helmets to boost donations for student-athletes through a nonprofit collective, Pokes With A Purpose.
These QR codes direct fans to a team fund that supports players who may be unable to secure individual NIL deals. While this was a well-intended move, it still faced skepticism and NCAA advertising restrictions.
As a compromise, the team’s QR code initiative was limited to non-helmet placements, such as bag tags, merchandise, and video boards.
Ohio police employ QR codes to combat crime
Law enforcement worldwide uses QR codes to fight crime. A real example is the Columbus police, which uses them for tip submissions in investigations.
Another is the Virginia police using them to collect community feedback or the Illinois authorities providing a safe space to help domestic abuse victims.
While the risk of scams is an inherent concern with any communication technology, QR codes are proving to be invaluable tools in global crime-fighting efforts, such as spreading anti-trafficking campaigns.
Top QR code trends in 2024
26.95 million QR code scans in 2024
A 2024 report by QR TIGER shows that over 26.95 million QR codes were scanned. This is unsurprising considering the versatile use cases of these impressive squares.
Almost everyone in the modern world owns a smartphone, making scanning a QR code an incredibly efficient way to access and share information.
45% of US consumers used a QR code for marketing
Now that more and more people are becoming accustomed to the presence of QR codes, they are more willing to give branded QR codes a chance.
As seen in this year’s hottest headlines, QR codes have appeared in some of the most memorable marketing campaigns to date. That is why 45% of US consumers have scanned a QR related to marketing or advertising.
QR code usage in tourism increases by 210%
The travel industry is also making big steps toward adopting QR codes, increasing usage by 210%. QR codes can be used to connect foreign customers to translated web pages, guide passengers to train or bus schedules, and more.
QR tech is a cost-efficient information-sharing mode that simplifies the travel experience and attracts more visitors to dream destinations.
QR code challenges that need more attention in 2025
QR tech can be a wonderful and helpful tool, but like anything, it can be used for all the wrong reasons. Here are a few things to look out for before deciding to scan one:
Quishing
This is also known as QR code phishing. It happens when a malicious actor creates a fraudulent QR code and embeds links that take users to phishing websites.
These sites can reveal and steal personal data, such as bank details, or trick users into downloading malware. To avoid falling victim, verify the source, use a secure QR scanner, and refrain from scanning codes from unsolicited messages.
QR code brushing scams
Brushing scams involve unexpected packages containing low-value items with a QR code. Once scanned, they may direct users to fake sites that request sensitive information.
Remember to be wary of receiving parcels you didn’t order and avoid interacting with such parcels with QR codes attached. You can report suspicious deliveries to the e-commerce site or your local authorities.
Mimicking real sites
Sometimes, cybercriminals create a legitimate-looking URL QR code that looks similar to the original. The embedded link automatically downloads malware onto your device or steals your credentials from a fake login page.
Be extra cautious of domains with misspellings that only resemble brand names or existing URLs, as this is a common tactic among scammers.
Eyes here: The latest in QR code innovations
As 2024’s QR code news unfolds, they clearly remain a driving force in digitizing various industry activities and opening doors for global accessibility, from quickening the payment process to aiding law enforcement.
This year’s top QR code headlines highlight how businesses, governments, communities, and academe use QR tech to tackle diverse challenges that would otherwise be too costly or complex to solve by other means.
As we embrace QR code generator software, a cornerstone of modern connectivity, their advancement and widespread adoption serve to remind us of the importance of security and ethical practice.
FAQs
What are QR codes used for today?
Are QR codes secure?
Although QR codes are generally safe, malicious actors can use them for scams or phishing schemes. It is important to verify the source of a QR code before scanning it and be wary of the signs of a fake QR code.
Some signs include codes from unknown senders, strange-looking domains, and a lack of context or information regarding the code’s destination.
Where can I find the latest QR code news?
