QR Scanner (PFA)

Hi all,
I found a nice tool the other day to generate (and scan) QR codes on android.

The tool is named “QR Scanner (PFA)” and is available on
fdroid and play store. The tool github is here, and the creator website SECUSO Research Group here. Note that SECUSO Research Group has made a lot of other privacy application available here. This tool has been mentionned in a previous post, but for the scanning functionnality only, and here I mention it for qr code gerenation.

I took the time to write this review here because It took me some time to find a private app in the google play store. A lot of application requested location, wifi scanning, all files, contact, telephone, phone identifier, network, … as usual, it was awful.

In comparison, this app require no permission for qr generation, and optionally require the camera for qr scanning.

There is quite a few template available, and I plan to generate a wifi qr for guest that visit my place.

I did write this in the general privacy category, cause it’s not a specifically a recommendation for the website, I also wanted to start a discussion. If someone even search for such tool in the forum, I hope this can save you some time :slight_smile:

1 Like

This is a good idea for a category, there are a ton of shady QR code generators that MITM your links with their own URL shorteners, or replace links/crypto-addresses with malware, etc.

5 Likes

All of the SECUSO apps are good on privacy. The UI and flow may need help in certain areas. It’s all open source though! Some have copied their apps and made changes. Ensure you have the SECUSO organization.

Some haven’t been updated recently. I have a hunch they are sort of student projects. But I’m ok with that.

1 Like

This software is doing a simple job and doing it well without bells and whistles.
I saw other software that wanted my contact access for contact sharing for example. This app does not request contact and has no screen for that. All you need to do is treat the contact as any other thing you wish to share. You open your main contact application, open a contact, press share, and select the qr generator. I am happy with this solution.
Sometimes a software is already feature complete. It is for my current purpose.

2 Likes