With digital register, we aim at stronger data security net: Oyo

BENGALURU: Oyo Rooms was at the receiving end of brickbats online on Wednesday after reports emerged that its new digital arrival and departure register would provide the government real-time data about people checking in and out of hotels.Legal experts said this was a major privacy concern and implementation could be questionable, given there is no legislative framework on a privacy law in India. Aditya Ghosh, CEO of India and South Asia at Oyo, first spoke about this move at an event in Kolkata.The project’s first implementation is in West Bengal. Many said on social media that they would think twice before staying in an Oyo Rooms facility again.When contacted, an Oyo spokesperson said, “Technology is deeply embedded in our DNA. We are always working towards building innovative solutions for providing a smooth and hassle-free experience for our guests and hoteliers. With the Digital Departure and Arrival Register, we aim to add a stronger data security net to the entire booking process by ensuring transparency, digitisation and improved efficiency of operations for the hotels. We are proud to offer this solution which has been pioneered by us to simply and safely transfer guest information to relevant authorities, whenever requested for any investigation, basis an information order. We remain focussed on making sure we continue building a leading new-age hotel brand for customers.”Government agencies usually ask for data from hotels after obtaining relevant orders. In Oyo’s case, such data being in government servers is being questioned, especially in the absence of adequate laws. Oyo is the biggest hotel operator in India, with over 125,000 rooms. It is also the third most valued startup in the country, and has a big presence in China.Oyo is said to have held talks with the state governments of Haryana, Rajasthan and Telangana also for the project. The Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF), an organisation advocating freedom of internet and privacy issues, said in a tweet that India does not have any meaningful legislative framework for information privacy.