What is do barcodes set off alarms?

No, barcodes themselves do not set off alarms in the typical sense of triggering security systems directly.

• How security systems work: Security systems, like those found in retail stores, primarily rely on radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags or electronic article surveillance (EAS) systems. These tags or devices actively communicate with sensors at store exits.

• Barcodes vs. RFID/EAS: Barcodes are simply a visual representation of data that needs to be scanned and interpreted by a reader. They are passive and don't emit any signals on their own.

• The process at checkout: When a cashier scans a barcode at checkout, the system retrieves the item's information and price. This process deactivates or removes the RFID/EAS tag (if present).

• Alarm triggers: If an item with an active RFID/EAS tag passes through the exit sensors, it will trigger the alarm. The barcode plays no role in this alarm triggering, unless it is somehow linked to the EAS system indirectly, which is not the typical use case. For example, a faulty system could incorrectly flag items not properly processed, but this is system error and not due to the barcode itself.

In summary, while barcodes are essential for inventory management and pricing, they are not the technology that directly activates store security alarms. That role is fulfilled by RFID or EAS tags.