Greece’s independent privacy watchdog on Wednesday urged hoteliers to refrain from making and keeping copies of their clients’ identity papers and bank cards, saying the practice is both illegal and exposes customers to the risk of fraud.
The Hellenic Data Protection Authority said it took the initiative following complaints from members of the public concerning reception staff at hotels photocopying or photographing clients’ ID documents or bank cards.
It called on hoteliers’ associations to “immediately” inform all members that the practice, as well as keeping the copies for future reference, is illegal under privacy regulations.
“Furthermore, such practices increase, for no good reason, the danger of unauthorised access, fraud or financial loss” for the owners of the documents and cards, the authority said in a statement.
The authority also urged hoteliers to revise their check-in processes and “ensure that any processing of personal data has a sound legal foundation, and has necessarily first been assessed for its necessity and proportionality.”
