DataBreaches.Net

Menu
  • About
  • Breach Notification Laws
  • Privacy Policy
  • Transparency Report
Menu

FTC Finalizes Order with Marriott and Starwood Requiring Them to Implement a Robust Data Security Program to Address Security Failures

Posted on December 20, 2024 by Dissent

The Federal Trade Commission finalized an order requiring Marriott International, Inc. and its subsidiary Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide LLC to implement a comprehensive information security program to settle charges that the companies failed to implement reasonable data security, which led to three large data breaches affecting more than 344 million customers worldwide.

In a complaint first announced in October, the FTC charged that Marriott and Starwood deceived consumers by claiming to have reasonable and appropriate data security, when they in fact failed to deploy reasonable security to protect consumers’ personal information. These security failures resulted in at least three separate data breaches that enabled malicious actors to obtain vast amounts of personal information from hundreds of millions of consumers, including passport information, payment card numbers, and loyalty numbers, according to the complaint.

Under the order, Marriott and Starwood are required to establish a comprehensive information security program to help safeguard customers’ personal information, implement a policy to retain personal information only for as long is reasonably necessary, and establish a link on their website for U.S. customers to request for personal information associated with their email address or loyalty rewards account number to be deleted. The order also requires Marriott to review loyalty rewards accounts upon customer request and restore stolen loyalty points.

The companies are also prohibited from misrepresenting how they collect, maintain, use, delete or disclose consumers’ personal information; and the extent to which the companies protect the privacy, security, availability, confidentiality, or integrity of personal information.

After receiving two comments, the Commission voted 3-0-2 to approve the final order and send responses to the commenters. Commissioner Ferguson and Commissioner Holyoak are recused from this matter.

The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition and protect and educate consumers.  The FTC will never demand money, make threats, tell you to transfer money, or promise you a prize. Learn more about consumer topics at consumer.ftc.gov, or report fraud, scams, and bad business practices at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Follow the FTC on social media, read consumer alerts and the business blog, and sign up to get the latest FTC news and alerts.

Source:  FTC

Previous coverage of the Starwood breach can be found linked from here.

Category: Business Sector

Post navigation

← Ohio state auditor issued guidance on email scams in April; employees might be liable if they fall for a scam
No need to hack when it’s leaking: Rapido edition →

Now more than ever

"Stand with Ukraine:" above raised hands. The illustration is in blue and yellow, the colors of Ukraine's flag.

Search

Browse by Categories

Recent Posts

  • Possible ransomware attack disrupts Maine and New Hampshire Covenant Health locations
  • HHS OCR Settles HIPAA Security Rule Investigation of BayCare Health System for $800k and Corrective Action Plan
  • UK: Two NHS trusts hit by cyberattack that exploited Ivanti flaw
  • Update: ALN Medical Management’s Data Breach Total Soars to More than 1.8 Million Patients Affected
  • Russian-linked hackers target UK Defense Ministry while posing as journalists
  • Banks Want SEC to Rescind Cyberattack Disclosure Requirements
  • MathWorks, Creator of MATLAB, Confirms Ransomware Attack
  • Russian hospital programmer gets 14 years for leaking soldier data to Ukraine
  • MSCS board renews contract with PowerSchool while suing them
  • Iranian Man Pleaded Guilty to Role in Robbinhood Ransomware

No, You Can’t Buy a Post or an Interview

This site does not accept sponsored posts or link-back arrangements. Inquiries about either are ignored.

And despite what some trolls may try to claim: DataBreaches has never accepted even one dime to interview or report on anyone. Nor will DataBreaches ever pay anyone for data or to interview them.

Want to Get Our RSS Feed?

Grab it here:

https://databreaches.net/feed/

RSS Recent Posts on PogoWasRight.org

  • Home Pregnancy Test Company Wins Dismissal of Pixel Wiretapping Suit
  • The CCPA emerges as a new legal battleground for web tracking litigation
  • U.S. Spy Agencies Are Getting a One-Stop Shop to Buy Your Most Sensitive Personal Data
  • Period Tracking App Users Win Class Status in Google, Meta Suit
  • AI: the Italian Supervisory Authority fines Luka, the U.S. company behind chatbot “Replika,” 5 Million €
  • D.C. Federal Court Rules Termination of Democrat PCLOB Members Is Unlawful
  • Meta may continue to train AI with user data, German court says

Have a News Tip?

Email: Tips[at]DataBreaches.net

Signal: +1 516-776-7756

Contact Me

Email: info[at]databreaches.net

Mastodon: Infosec.Exchange/@PogoWasRight

Signal: +1 516-776-7756

DMCA Concern: dmca[at]databreaches.net
© 2009 – 2025 DataBreaches.net and DataBreaches LLC. All rights reserved.