Sealed on Base.

{"canonicalPath":"/v/scanning-a-restaurant-qr-code-6iukv","receipt":{"challengePrompt":"Challenge this result with a restaurant’s QR-menu privacy policy, a network trace, or evidence that the specific QR code only opens a static file with no analytics.","claim":"Scanning a restaurant QR code can let the restaurant and third-party tech providers collect data such as IP address, device/browser details, time, location signals, and page activity; it is not just viewing a static menu.","confidence":"High","createdAt":"2026-06-19T06:37:22.744Z","kicker":"Yes, but the QR square is not the tracker.","paidAt":"2026-06-19T06:37:22.921Z","reasons":[{"body":"A QR-menu provider privacy policy says its service collects usage data such as IP address, browser type, and interaction logs, and uses cookies. That directly supports the idea that scanning a menu can be more than pass","stance":"supports","title":"Provider policies name the data"},{"body":"The FTC says websites and apps can collect analytics such as pages visited, time spent, device type, and browser type, and can allow third-party tracking. A QR menu commonly opens a browser page, so the scan can become a","stance":"supports","title":"The website does the tracking"},{"body":"A QR code by itself does not magically read your phone or exact GPS location. It usually opens a link. Exact location generally requires app/browser permission, while IP-based location is approximate. A static menu page","stance":"context","title":"The claim needs limits"}],"score":27,"shareLine":"FactPage check: NEEDS_CONTEXT — restaurant QR menus can collect web-tracking data, but the QR code itself is usually just the link.","slug":"scanning-a-restaurant-qr-code-6iukv","sources":[{"imageUrl":null,"publisher":"MenuHatch","title":"MenuHatch Privacy Policy","url":"https://menuhatch.com/privacy-policy","usedFor":"Shows a QR-menu service disclosing IP address, browser type, interaction logs, cookies, and third-party processors."},{"imageUrl":null,"publisher":"Federal Trade Commission","title":"FTC Website Tracking Guide","url":"https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-websites-apps-collect-use-your-information","usedFor":"Explains website/app tracking, analytics, device/browser data, page activity, cookies, pixels, fingerprinting, and third-party tracking."},{"imageUrl":null,"publisher":"The Washington Post","title":"Washington Post QR Privacy Explainer","url":"https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2021/10/07/are-qr-codes-safe/","usedFor":"Explains that QR codes are not inherently the tracker, but the websites they open can connect offline scans to online tracking and third-party sharing."}],"summary":"The claim is broadly supported: many restaurant QR menus open a web page or ordering system that can collect normal web analytics data, including IP address, browser/device details, timestamps, cookies, and page activity. Some QR-menu providers disclose collection of IP address, browser type, and interaction logs. The context: the QR code itself is usually just a link, and a simple static PDF or low-tracking menu may","vaultCategory":"Internet","verdict":"MISLEADING"},"type":"factpage.receipt","version":"fp-receipt-v1"}