China's public QR codes are being hijacked to redirect users to porn and scams
6 hours ago
- #Cybersecurity
- #QR Codes
- #Public Safety
- Criminals in China are hacking public QR codes, redirecting scans to porn and illegal websites.
- Beijing introduced public QR codes in 2016 for smart city management, later adopted nationwide.
- Incidents include a Suzhou park shuttle bus QR code hijacked in March and a Beijing street pole code in February.
- CCTV found many municipal QR codes at bus stops, lampposts, and mailboxes were invalid.
- Cybersecurity experts note QR codes lack built-in security, allowing criminals to hijack expired domains.
- Domain registration in China requires purchase from accredited registrars, with prices varying widely.
- Experts warn public QR code failures reveal urban security gaps and recommend government action.