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Japan rail firms to swap magnetic tickets for QR codes in green push

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QR Code was developed by Japan in 1994, however it took more 30 years for Japanese railway companies to really adopts, this technology, for any change it will decades in japan.

https://www.britannica.com/technology/QR-Code

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

I'd be careful how this is going to roll out. Scammers will be on the prowl.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I'd be careful how this is going to roll out. Scammers will be on the prowl.

Sigh. Airlines have been using QR code boarding passes for decades. So does Amtrak. Even the local movie theaters use them. Seems pretty secure.. The QR code is unique to the purchaser.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Most of us load our QR code on our cell phone and when we get where we are going the QR code scanner scans the QR code on our phone.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

This process is going to be much slower than paper tickets.

Get out your phone, switch it on, unlock the screen, start up the app all before you can scan.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

sakurasukiToday  07:12 am JST

for any change it will decades in japan.

Often true, but an overgeneralization. Look at how quickly payment by Suica or other IC cards spread in Japan. Foreign tourists are amazed by the fact that these cards can be used nationwide, not only for transport but also in convenience stores, chain restaurants, and more.

David Van Den BergToday  11:30 am JST

This process is going to be much slower than paper tickets.

Get out your phone, switch it on, unlock the screen, start up the app all before you can scan.

Nothing to see with phone. The QR code will be on the paper ticket instead of the magnetic bands.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Nothing to see with phone. The QR code will be on the paper ticket instead of the magnetic bands.

The previous two posts were about scanning QR codes on phones though. There's a reason that NFC based cards caught on so well: the Felica system has about a 0.5 second scan time. With the volume of people going through some high-traffic stations at rush hour any slowdown is disasterous.

Tokyu railway has had QR-code enabled gates for some time (the QSKIP system) but you rarely see more than one gate at any given station with this technology, probably due to this very reason.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Sigh. Airlines have been using QR code boarding passes for decades. So does Amtrak. Even the local movie theaters use them. Seems pretty secure.. The QR code is unique to the purchaser.

...until

https://www.checkpoint.com/cyber-hub/threat-prevention/what-is-phishing/what-is-quishing-qr-phishing/

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Get out your phone, switch it on, unlock the screen, start up the app all before you can scan.

What I see is people boarding have their phones out and the QR code loaded on the screen when they get to the scanner. The scan takes maybe half a second. It is no different that arriving at the gate with your paper boarding pass in hand ready to go. Normal stuff when traveling.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

What happens if your phone runs out of charge?

Airports have phone chargers and outlets where you can plug your own charger in. Keep your phone charged when traveling. Normal stuff travelers know and practice.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

If you don't have a phone?

3 ( +5 / -2 )

QR code loaded on the screen

Plenty of examples of kiosk hacked and QR replaced, especially during covid contact tracing period. Most of these kiosk are still running windows XP and vulnerabilities are no longer patched.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Why (if QR codes are on phones) am I beholden to take my phone everywhere I go or even why is it necessary to have a smartphone?

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

I for one think this will be brilliant when it is put in place. Now if only we can get them to allow on-board payment for express-train tickets with something other than cash.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Desert Tortoise

Most of us load our QR code on our cell phone and when we get where we are going the QR code scanner scans the QR code on our phone.

They will be using paper tickets with QR codes instead of magnetic strips. They already have apps for phones and smartwatches that use NFC, not QR.

David Van Den Berg

This process is going to be much slower than paper tickets.

This process uses paper tickets.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

wallace

If you don't have a phone?

A moot point, as they are just changing from magnetic strip to QR code on paper tickets.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The main problem with QR hacks is where you read a QR code with your phone to pay for something. Criminals just stick a fake QR code over the real one and empty your bank account. Printing QR codes on paper tickets shouldn't be a problem, unless it rains or they get creased. Have they found a manufacturer for new Suica cards yet?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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