Marriott Faces Close to $125 Million Fine Over 2018 Data Breach
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
On Monday, the UK’s Information Commissioner Office (ICO) slapped British Airways with a potential £183 million fine for its 2018 data breach. To follow that up, on Tuesday, the ICO detailed its intention to fine Marriott more than £99 million (nearly $125 million) for its November 2018 data breach.
Like the BA fine, the ICO’s fine on Marriott was placed because of ‘infringements of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)’. That GDPR breach involved the stealing of personal information of about 339 million Marriott guests.
The information exposure first started in 2014 but didn’t come to light until 2018, when Marriott originally said that more than 500 million guests had been affected. Marriott plans to fight the fine.
“We are disappointed with this notice of intent from the ICO, which we will contest,” Marriott CEO Arne Sorenson said in a statement. “Marriott has been co-operating with the ICO throughout its investigation into the incidents, which involved a criminal attack against the Starwood guest reservation database”.
In the eyes of the ICO, Marriott should have done more to review Starwood’s data practices and securing its systems. The watchdog agency now says that Marriott has made improvements to its security since the events came to light.
Under GDPR regulations, the ICO had the ability to impose a fine of up to 4% of a company’s global annual revenue.
Featured photo by Roberto Machado Noa/LightRocket via Getty Images.
Sign-up Successful!
Welcome to The Points Guy!
Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months. Offer ends 8/3/2022.
With Status Boost™, earn 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, up to two times per year getting you closer to Medallion Status. Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels, 2X Miles at restaurants and at U.S. supermarkets and earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases. Terms Apply.
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months. Offer ends 8/3/2022.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Enjoy an exclusive rate of $39 per person per visit to enter the Delta Sky Club® for you and up to two guests when traveling on a Delta flight.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.