Apparently the popular hotel, The Marriott was illegally blocking people's internet access and charging them anywhere from $250 to $1,000. That's crazy.
It sounds so trivial compared to other things happening in the news lately, but it's something that affects so many people in this technology driven world. As people growing up in this generation of constant technology swarming around us, being denied access to Internet while at a hotel that promises free Wi-fi (AKA your best friend) and then being charge a ridiculous amount of money is terrifying. It's sad, but true.
I'm mainly concerned about this article because I'll be spending 5 nights in a Marriott hotel at the end of this month for a conference. While I'm there I will be forced to do homework, send assignments and check and send emails. Let's be serious, the Marriott is a damn fancy hotel, too. I should be getting free Wi-fi without worrying they're going to be ripping me off the second they remove the funds from my checking account.
The worst part is the hotel refuses to even admit they're doing something wrong –– give me a break. You're exploiting the basic rights that we, as paying customers, are entitled too. Well at least The Federal Communications Commission is fining Marriott International 600,000 for unlawfully blocking customers' Wi-Fi access, according to the Huffington Post.
Here's the article,
I think it is a little crazy that such a known company didn't think anything would happen from this or that no one would find out. It is even more strange that they aren't admitting that they did something wrong when they clearly did. I hope you have a good trip at the end of this month though!
ReplyDeleteMany hotels I have been to in the U.S. charge around $70 - $100 for wifi per day, and sometime my phone signal is really low in the room. So I have difficulty using internet most of the time in hotel rooms. Even when hotels provide free wifi; it's usually slow and easily disconnected.
ReplyDeleteI don't mind paying few dollars for good connection wifi, but hundreds or thousands of dollar is just crazy.