A photograph taken at the airport and shared on social networks can result in unwanted changes on the trip or even the robbery. The alert, according to Travel + Leisure magazine, comes from cybersecurity experts, who recommend to all travelers to avoid spreading images of boarding cards, luggage labels or other travel documents, due to their personal information that can be easily explored by third parties.
Recent cases demonstrate how this seemingly harmless practice can lead to serious consequences. In May 2025, a family departing from Hong Kong shared a photograph online where his departure card appeared. Shortly thereafter, they reported that the marked places were changed, the special requests of meals were ignored and their parents were separated from their children during the flight.
Discrete codes, exposed data
The risk is in the QR and bars codes present in the boarding cards, which, even when the flight name or number are hidden, allow us to access sensitive data such as the reserve number, itineraries or even passport data.
According to British law firm HD Claims, the most sophisticated burns use this information to modify reserves, access to mileage programs and, in some cases, cause financial losses to travelers.
Real consequences and unexpected losses
More than a matter of privacy, it is digital security. “This is not just a social embarrassment, it is a serious issue of data protection,” said Adam Douglas, a legal expert at HD Claims, in statements to Travel + Leisure.
The destruction of travel documents after its use is also recommended, and tickets were reported in which tickets were collected from garbage crates in hotels and used fraudulently.
High profile example exposed weaknesses
Public cases contributed to increasing awareness. When former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott posted on Instagram an image of his boarding card, his personal data were obtained by a third party. The author of the access used the situation as a warning to the vulnerability of the systems, without, in this case, negative direct consequences.
Prevention remains the best medicine
In addition to avoiding sharing boarding cards and baggage labels, it advises additional practices such as the prior verification of destination, avoid disclosing the place of accommodation to strangers, keeping doors and windows locked and not transporting visible value objects in public places.
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