The Data on Tags
A viral social media post suggested that the barcodes on airline baggage tags hold sensitive personal and credit card information, urging travelers to
be cautious. The claim sparked concern about the potential for data breaches. However, aviation experts clarify that while these tags do contain data, it's not directly financial or highly sensitive in the way initially feared. The barcode primarily consists of a ten-digit License Plate Number (LPN), which acts as a key to the airline's internal systems rather than a direct storage unit for personal details. This LPN, along with the flight number, destination airport code, and your Passenger Name Record (PNR) – a six-character booking reference – is what's encoded. The barcode itself is designed to be a pointer to backend databases, not a standalone repository of your life's details.
Accessing Your Details
While the barcode on your baggage tag doesn't directly expose your credit card details, the concern over potential data access isn't entirely unfounded. If an individual were to scan the barcode with a smartphone, the information they could potentially retrieve is limited. At best, they might see your last name and the PNR. Even if someone tried to use this information to access an airline's 'Manage Booking' portal, security measures are in place. Credit card numbers are typically masked, the CVV is never displayed, and passport numbers are partially concealed. Therefore, direct financial data theft from the tag alone is highly improbable. Nevertheless, a combination of your surname and PNR could theoretically be exploited to gain access to basic booking details, highlighting the importance of responsible tag disposal.
Disposal Best Practices
From a broader aviation security standpoint, simply discarding your baggage tag after a flight poses no threat to aircraft safety. However, from a personal privacy perspective, responsible disposal is always recommended. Leaving old tags attached to luggage can also lead to operational issues. Automated scanners might become confused by multiple barcodes, potentially causing system errors or even misrouting your baggage. To prevent any potential misuse of your PNR and surname, or to avoid operational hiccups, travelers are advised to remove the tag once they have reached their destination. A simple yet effective method is to tear vertically through the barcode, rendering it unreadable to optical scanners. Alternatively, shredding the tag or using a permanent marker to completely black out the PNR and your name are also reliable ways to ensure your information remains private.
