Combating Product Counterfeits with Robust Encryption: A Sense Original’s Innovation

CXOToday has engaged in an exclusive interview withMohammed Saalim, Founder, Sense Original

What is your vision and inspiration behind Sense Original?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, I witnessed the devastating impact of counterfeit medicines on patients battling the virus. Some were forced to pay high prices for genuine medications, while others unknowingly purchased counterfeit drugs at lower costs, compromising their health and recovery. This heartbreaking reality inspired me to research counterfeit products extensively, leading to the founding and registration of Sense Original in 2022.

My vision behind Sense Original is to help people discover trust and embrace authenticity. I am driven by a desire to create a world where consumers can trust the products they purchase, shielded from the risks and dangers caused by counterfeit goods. Through our innovative solutions, we aim to empower people with the ability to verify the authenticity of goods easily, fostering confidence and peace of mind in their purchases. By combating counterfeiting, we strive to protect not only consumer interests but also the integrity of brands and the health and safety of individuals worldwide.

How do the Sense Original’s scan codes work and is it similar for a particular batch of products?

Sense Original’s scan codes work by assigning a unique code to each product, ensuring no two products share the same code. This approach differs from using batch codes, where an entire batch would have the same code.

The verification process with Sense Original is user-friendly. First, download the Sense Original app and register. When you want to authenticate a product, tap the ‘Verified Product’ option. Then, scan the product’s unique code. The app cross-references this code against Sense Original’s database to determine authenticity. If the code is valid, it confirms that the product is genuine. If not, it alerts you to a potential counterfeit. By assigning distinct codes to each product instead of batch codes, Sense Original’s system verifies authenticity at the individual level, providing a robust anti-counterfeiting solution.

As an industry expert, what should be the best practices buyers should follow to identify counterfeit products?

At Sense Original, we know the risks that counterfeits present to brands and consumers and hence, we have developed this product. It will aid in confirming the authenticity of a product at an individual level using unique codes. The responsibility of a  buyer is to act diligently during the buying process and I recommend buying only from licensed sellers, checking for matcher inconsistencies, and using the Sense Original app for authenticity confirmation with ease. By following these steps, we will work in a safe environment to promote the principle of transparency in the marketplace as we fight counterfeits consciously, proactively, and with tools like Sense Original at our disposal.

What new features are you planning to add in your application to ease the process of identifying fake products?

At Sense Original, we are constantly innovating to provide robust anti-counterfeiting solutions. One of our upcoming initiatives is integrating our authentication system directly into brands’ supply chains, from manufacturing to the end consumer. By assigning unique codes during production and tracking those codes throughout distribution, any disruptions or deviations can quickly flag potential counterfeit infiltration.

This supply chain monitoring will allow us to pinpoint exactly where counterfeiting may have occurred. Additionally, we will launch an automated notification system to immediately alert brands if our app users identify one of their products as potentially counterfeit. This real-time flagging enables swift action against illicit operations. We aim to make identifying fakes even easier for both brands and consumers. Sense Original remains committed to advancing anti-counterfeiting through cutting-edge technology.

What according to you is the right approach to fight the rise of counterfeit products and how can the consumers report it?

The process of detection of counterfeit products demands collaboration from authorities, consumers, and brands. Authentication solutions are essential for brands to safeguard their supply chains and products. Governments must enforce stronger laws to combat counterfeiting.

Additionally, consumers are also responsible for ensuring that they remain vigilant. They should use authentication applications such as ours to confirm purchases through code scanning. If the purchaser believes the product to be counterfeit, the brand should be informed and the instance should be reported on the Sense Original app. By following this process the consumers will aid in the fight against unlawful activities. Application of product traceability, increased regulation, and consumers working together will help in the elimination of counterfeiting and will create security for both buyers and sellers.

What role do technology like Blockchain Invisible Signatures, watermarks, time-stamps, holograms, bar chodes, etc play in easing the process of counterfeiting?

Blockchain technology offers a robust solution for enhancing traceability and combating counterfeiting throughout supply chains. The blockchain records every transaction and product movement across the business network. Companies implement blockchain by affixing smart tags like NFC tags, QR codes, RFID chips, or laser-etched signatures onto products. These tags collect data at each supply chain stage, creating an auditable trail on the blockchain from raw material procurement to the end consumer. This transparency verifies products’ authenticity and origin, making it extremely difficult for counterfeiters to infiltrate legitimate channels. By leveraging blockchain’s secure traceability, businesses can fortify their brand protection and customer trust.