Tag Archives: Privacy Policy

by | December 3, 2013 · 9:07 am

Hospitality Industry Technology Issues: Hotels And Restaurants Face “Privacy Issues” When Guests Wear “Google Glass”; Videotaping Without Permission

“…there are definitely privacy implications for those who wear and use Google Glass in public…People want to go (to restaurants and hotels) and not be known … and Hospitality Industry Google Glass Privacydefinitely don’t want to be secretly filmed or videotaped and immediately put on the Internet…as a society, know how to appropriately use our mobile phones, (and) most Google Glass wearers (should) know how to appropriately use them as well…”

In an effort to protect patrons in his restaurant from being photographed or videotaped without permission, Seattle restaurant owner Dave Meinhart  banned Google Glass from one of his restaurants. But last week, Nick Starr, a local early adopter of Google Glass, was kicked out of Dave’s other restaurant, Lost Lake Cafe & Lounge, starting a PR storm by demanding an apology and the firing of the waitress who kicked him out.

In just a few weeks, thousands of people will become the next wave of not-so-early adopters to receive Google Glass. Initially launched in early 2013, Google Glass quickly became a hot topic for tech pundits who questioned its ability to protect privacy, its usefulness, and whether or not it would be as cool as the bluetooth was.

For more:  http://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyclay/2013/12/03/how-to-not-look-like-a-jerk-with-google-glass/

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by | January 7, 2013 · 7:46 am

Hospitality Industry Legal Risks: Hotel “Mobile Applications” Must “Post Privacy Policy” Allowing Guests To “Access And/Or Request Changes To Personal Information”

“…In the case of an online service, “conspicuously posting” a privacy policy requires that the policy be “reasonably accessible…for consumers of the online service…the consumer (must be able) to access or request mobile technologychanges to personal information, (and) the operator of the site will notify consumers of changes, and the effective date of the policy..”

Hotel companies are actively entering the mobile application space as a means of gaining market share and solidifying guest relations. In addition to online travel agents like HotelsbyMe.com, a number of brands including Omni, Choice and Starwood have developed mobile applications. However, as mobile applications gain popularity, hotel companies should consider how privacy and security laws will impact how they can use those applications.

For companies with operations in California, that issue was highlighted on December 6, 2012, when the California Attorney General filed a lawsuit against Delta Airlines for failing to include a privacy policy with a smartphone application. The lawsuit, the first of its kind, alleges that Delta violated California law requiring online services to “conspicuously post its privacy policy” by failing to include such a policy with its “Fly Delta” mobile application.

The California online privacy law

In 2004, California enacted the California Online Privacy Protection Act (“CalOPPA”). This law requires operators of websites and online services to “conspicuously post” privacy policies about the personal information that is collected, how the consumer can access or request changes to personal information, how the operator of the site will notify consumers of changes, and the effective date of the policy.

In the case of an online service, “conspicuously posting” a privacy policy requires that the policy be “reasonably accessible…for consumers of the online service.”

CalOPPA does not define an “online service” or mention “mobile” or “smartphone” applications, likely due to the fact that in 2004, smartphones and mobile applications were just being developed. However, the California Attorney General considers any service available over the internet or that connects to the internet, including mobile apps, to be an “online service.”
For more:  http://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article68597Hotel_Lawyer_on_How_New_Privacy_Law_Enforcement_May_Affect_Your_Mobile_Apps_Used_in_Marketing_.html

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by | December 6, 2011 · 6:53 am

Hospitality Industry Guest Privacy Risks: New "Invasion Of Privacy" Lawsuit Filed Against Tennessee Hotel By ESPN Reporter Who Seeks $6 Million For "Negligence And Infliction Of Emotional Distress"

“…The lawsuit charges that Barrett called the Marriott and was told which room Andrews would be staying in and then rented the room next to her…”

The lawsuit accuses Marriott of negligence, infliction of emotional distress and invasion of privacy and seeks at least $2 million in damages for each of the claims. Barrett was accused of the same claims in addition to disclosure of private facts, and the lawsuit seeks $1 million for each claim against him.

ESPN reporter Erin Andrews filed a new lawsuit in Davidson County Circuit Court last week accusing the Nashville hotel where she was unknowingly videotaped in the nude in 2008 of invasion of privacy, negligence and infliction of emotional stress.

In addition to the West End Marriott Hotel, Andrews also named convicted perpetrator Michael Barrett in the lawsuit. Barrett, an Illinois resident, was sentenced to two and a half years in federal prison in 2010 for stalking Andrews as she traveled around the country to cover sporting events for ESPN and filming her in her hotel rooms.

For more:  http://www.tennessean.com/article/20111206/NEWS03/312060024/ESPN-s-Erin-Andrews-files-new-invasion-of-privacy-suit

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Filed under Claims, Crime, Guest Issues, Insurance, Labor Issues, Management And Ownership, Privacy, Risk Management

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by | November 18, 2011 · 6:37 am

Hospitality Industry Guest Safety: Hotel Management Must Have "Guest Privacy" Policies To Protect Names And Room Locations

“…Privacy is key when it comes to safety in a hotel, most importantly at check-in…”

“If the person giving you your key says your name out loud or your room number, you want to be sure to get another key and another room, because anyone lingering in the lobby could overhear that.”

  • Female travelers should “never put down your name. Just put down your initials and never indicate you’re just one person.”

Greg O’Neill, who heads up security at Boston’s Mandarin Oriental, says security measures generally work, when guests use them:

  • … take advantage the in-room safe. You’ll find this in most every hotel
  • …take advantage of the peephole in the door, and be aware of the nearest exit

Here’s another tip: check crime statistics for particular neighborhoods before making a hotel reservation. Most police web sites will have those details.

Security experts also suggest taking your room key out of the little envelope they give you at check-in, because it usually has your room number on it.

For more:  http://www.14news.com/story/16068750/experts-providing-hotel-safety-tips-around-the-holidays

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Filed under Crime, Guest Issues, Labor Issues, Liability, Management And Ownership, Privacy, Risk Management, Training

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