In today's digital age, express delivery has become an indispensable part of people's daily lives. However, with the rapid development of the express delivery business, some criminals have also targeted this field and set their sights on QR code advertisements on express delivery orders. These advertisements lure consumers with enticing slogans such as "scan the code and get it" and "scan the code to get 20 yuan", but in fact it is an elaborate scam.
This kind of express advertising seems simple, but in fact it implies multiple risks. First, they induce consumers to scan QR codes by creating a sense of urgency and curiosity. However, after scanning the code, consumers often find that the so-called "grand prize" is just an empty joy, and more of a cumbersome operation such as constantly pulling people to help and downloading software. In the process, consumers not only waste time and energy, but may also inadvertently leak personal information. What's more, the businesses behind these ads often use consumers' personal information for precision marketing, and may even sell the information to third parties, causing more serious consequences. Some unscrupulous merchants may also maliciously promote or defraud through software that induces them to download, causing economic losses to consumers.
The proliferation of courier advertising: who pays for "welfare"?
When we open the package with joy, only to find that the express delivery slip in our hands is impressively printed with attractive advertisements such as "scan the code to send" and "scan the code to receive cash", it is inevitable that there will be a trace of doubt in our hearts. Are these ads really as they say, with a single swipe that makes it easy to get so-called "perks"? The answer is clearly no. It is not difficult for us to find that these so-called "welfare" advertisements are often just a disguise, and behind them are various traps to induce consumption and collect personal information. After consumers scan the code, they are often directed to various e-commerce platforms or recharge pages, and the so-called "cash" or "vouchers" are often accompanied by consumption conditions or thresholds, which is prohibitive.
How do these ads appear on the delivery bill?
It is understood that there are various sources of express order advertising, including the advertising business of e-commerce platforms and express delivery companies themselves, as well as advertisements implanted by third-party order software for drainage. Among them, the ordering system provided by some e-commerce platforms has advertisements on the face order by default, but the setting of turning off the ads is extremely hidden, making it difficult for merchants to detect. In order to save costs, some small and medium-sized businesses choose to use free ordering software, which is also filled with a large number of express delivery advertisements.
The harm of express advertising, infringing on the rights and interests of consumers, and destroying the ecology of the industryThe proliferation of express advertising not only infringes on consumers' right to know and choose, but also causes serious damage to the ecology of the express delivery and e-commerce industry. First of all, these advertisements often attract consumers with false propaganda and exaggerated claims, and mislead consumers to make unnecessary purchases. Consumers are likely to suffer financial losses because of their gullibility in believing advertisements without knowing the truth.
The existence of express delivery advertisements has also intensified unfair competition in the industry. In order to obtain more traffic and exposure, some businesses do not hesitate to take improper means to advertise, which not only damages the interests of other businesses, but also undermines the healthy development of the entire industry.
Advertisements may also lead to the risk of personal information leakage. Some criminals use express advertisements to collect consumers' personal information and carry out illegal activities such as telecommunication fraud and network fraud, which poses a great threat to the safety of consumers' lives and property.
These QR code advertisements are not the official actions of the courier company. As a number of courier companies said in an interview, the courier orders they provide are basically blank, and there are too many channels to print QR code ads, and they are repeatedly banned. So, who exactly printed these ads?
According to the survey, these advertisements mainly come from some third-party ordering software. Since these software are provided to post merchants for free, the placement of advertisements in them has become their profit model. These software generate revenue through drainage, and the advertisements implanted in the express delivery label are also mixed. Merchants often ignore or find it difficult to find a setting screen to turn off ads when using these software, resulting in ads appearing on the delivery label.
What is the attitude of consumers towards these ads? Judging from the sample survey, more than half of the express orders are printed with "scan the code and send" inducing advertisements. However, in fact, these advertisements do not directly send cash, but guide consumers to the shopping page of the e-commerce platform, or provide a link to recharge and send phone bills, which requires consumers to recharge first. This kind of behavior of inducing consumption in the name of welfare makes consumers feel deceived and greatly reduces their trust in the express delivery industry.
So, how should we deal with this problem?
Government departments should increase the supervision of QR code advertisements on express delivery orders. Enterprises and individuals who print advertisements in violation of regulations should be severely punished in accordance with the law, so as to form a powerful deterrent. At the same time, the government should also strengthen the supervision of the express delivery industry, standardize the printing and use of express orders, and ensure the cleanliness and safety of express orders.
When receiving a courier bill with a QR code advertisement, don't scan it easily to avoid being deceived. At the same time, consumers can protect their legitimate rights and interests by complaining to the express company and reporting to the industrial and commercial department.
QR code advertising on express delivery orders has become a stubborn problem in the express delivery industry. Addressing this problem requires a concerted effort between governments, businesses and consumers. Only in this way can we ensure the healthy development of the express delivery industry, so that consumers can truly enjoy convenient and safe express delivery services.