Marriott fined for blocking Wi-Fi hotspots

Marriott fined for blocking Wi-Fi hotspots
By admin


Marriott International has been forced to fork out A$681,000 (US$600,000) to pay a fine charged by the US government after being found guilty of jamming conference attendees’ personal Wi-Fi at one of its hotels.

Conference attendees at a Marriott-managed property in Tennessee were reportedly forced to pay up to A$1135 (US$1000) to use the hotel’s own connection after being unable to connect to their personal Wi-Fi hotspot devices, popular amongst frequent travellers.  It was later discovered the hotel was jamming these devices in its ballrooms.

Marriott has since defended its action, saying it wasn’t aimed at charging guests extra for Internet access but about protecting its network, skift reports.

“Marriott has a strong interest in ensuring that when our guests use our Wi-Fi service, they will be protected from rogue wireless hotspots that can cause degraded service, insidious cyber-attacks and identity theft,” the company said in a statement according to the news report, adding that hospitals and universities employee similar jamming practices.

It is unconfirmed if any other Marriott property or franchise globally uses similar jamming devices.

Meanwhile, skift reports that Hilton, Hyatt Hotels, Kempinski Hotels do not have policies to jam, block or prevent the use of personal Wi-Fi hotspots. 

InterContinental Hotels Group offers free Wi-Fi for guests, but involves a quick enrollment to its IHG rewards club. Conference attendees can also use personal hotspots.

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

Latest News