Snapshot of the source text at fetch time, not a live mirror of the policy page.
Plain-English summary
This privacy policy from Choice Hotels International contains several concerning practices for users. Your e-folio hotel bill may be sent unsecurely via email or mobile app, which means it could be intercepted by third parties (risk_flags-0001). Additionally, your personal information, including credit card numbers, may be processed in jurisdictions that do not offer the same level of privacy protection as your home country (risk_flags-0002). A significant concern is that personal information collected directly by independently owned and operated franchised hotels is not covered by this policy, and Choice Hotels does not control how these hotels handle your data (risk_flags-0003).
89% confidence
Ask Verbaterm
Follow up on findings with grounded answers from this review. Not legal advice.
Risk Flags
3 findings
Critical issues that may result in material harm or loss, such as losing money, significant privacy violations, or limiting legal recourse.
high95% confidence
Unsecure Transmission of E-Folio Information
If you participate in the electronic billing e-folio program, your hotel bill will be sent to you over the Internet in an unsecure (unencrypted) manner – by email or through our mobile applications, depending on your preference and selection - and could be subject to interception by third parties.
Why it matters: Your hotel bill, sent via email or mobile app, may be intercepted by third parties because it is transmitted in an unsecure (unencrypted) manner. If you use a corporate credit card, billing information and details of your hotel stay will be shared with the credit card provider, who will then provide it to your employer.
If you participate in the electronic billing e-folio program, your hotel bill will be sent to you over the Internet in an unsecure (unencrypted) manner – by email or through our mobile applications, depending on your preference and selection - and could be subject to interception by third parties. If you use a corporate credit card, billing information and the details of your hotel stay will be shared with the credit card provider who, in turn, will provide it to your employer.
Jurisdiction with Potentially Lower Privacy Protection
Your personal information (including credit card number) will be processed in the United States, as well as other jurisdictions globally that may not afford the same level of privacy protection as the jurisdiction where you reside, to complete your transaction and to facilitate the making of future reservations.
Why it matters: Your personal information, including credit card number, will be processed in the United States and other global jurisdictions. These other jurisdictions may not offer the same level of privacy protection as your home country, potentially exposing your data to less stringent privacy laws.
Your personal information (including credit card number) will be processed in the United States, as well as other jurisdictions globally that may not afford the same level of privacy protection as the jurisdiction where you reside, to complete your transaction and to facilitate the making of future reservations.
Sharing of Personal Information with Franchised Hotels Not Subject to Policy
Your personal information collected or maintained directly by the Franchised Hotels is not subject to this policy, unless such information has been shared with us, in which case the policy only covers Choice’s collection, use, and maintenance of your personal information. We do not control the collection, use, or access of your information by the Franchised Hotels and their staff.
Why it matters: Personal information collected directly by independently owned and operated Franchised Hotels is not covered by this privacy policy. Choice Hotels does not control how these hotels collect, use, or access your information, which could lead to inconsistent privacy practices or less protection for your data when dealing directly with franchised locations.
Hotels franchised under Choice’s brand (“Franchised Hotels”) are independently owned and operated. Your personal information collected or maintained directly by the Franchised Hotels is not subject to this policy, unless such information has been shared with us, in which case the policy only covers Choice’s collection, use, and maintenance of your personal information. If you book a reservation directly with a hotel and that hotel utilizes our proprietary property management system, your personal information related to that reservation will be transmitted to and processed by Choice. We do not control the collection, use, or access of your information by the Franchised Hotels and their staff.
Practices concerning the collection, processing, and sharing of user information.
medium85% confidence
Device Fingerprinting for Cross-Device Association
Choice may also use cookies to form an association between multiple devices such as your smartphone, desktop computer and tablet. This is often referred to as device fingerprinting. A unique identifier, or fingerprint, is created on your devices, which enables the association. Choice uses the device association to link your devices’ searches on our websites, which enables us to provide you with a more convenient and personal digital experience.
Why it matters: Choice Hotels may create a unique identifier or "fingerprint" to link your activities across multiple devices (smartphone, desktop, tablet). This practice, known as device fingerprinting, allows them to track your searches and provide a personalized experience, potentially without a clear opt-out mechanism for this specific tracking method beyond general cookie settings.
Choice may also use cookies to form an association between multiple devices such as your smartphone, desktop computer and tablet. This is often referred to as device fingerprinting. A unique identifier, or fingerprint, is created on your devices, which enables the association. Choice uses the device association to link your devices’ searches on our websites, which enables us to provide you with a more convenient and personal digital experience.
**Other Uses of Personal Information**, paragraph 28 · Citation strength: strong
low85% confidence
Non-Recognition of Do Not Track Signals
We currently do not recognize DNT signals; however, we do allow you to exercise some choice in the information collected by adjusting your browser’s cookie settings.
Why it matters: The service does not respond to "Do Not Track" (DNT) signals from your web browser, meaning your preference for not being tracked across sites will not be automatically honored.
We currently do not recognize DNT signals; however, we do allow you to exercise some choice in the information collected by adjusting your browser’s cookie settings.
**Other Uses of Personal Information**, paragraph 32 · Citation strength: strong
Cancellation and Renewal
Not clearly stated
Terms related to account termination, subscription, and billing, including any auto-renewal clauses or cancellation procedures.
?
Not clearly stated
No cited billing terms — wording is unclear
The policy does not contain information about account termination, subscription, auto-renewal, or cancellation procedures.
Gotchas
Not clearly stated
Unexpected or less-than-obvious clauses that may be detrimental to the user.
?
Not clearly stated
No cited gotchas — wording is unclear
No 'gotchas' were identified in the provided text.
Protections
2 findings
Commitments and features that benefit the user, such as strong data privacy practices, clear cancellation policies, or protective clauses for minors.
Protection95% confidence
Ability to Opt-Out of Marketing Communications and Data Sharing
If you do not want us to provide your information to our business partners, or if you do not wish to receive promotional communications from us or our affiliates concerning special offers, discounts, airline bonuses, or contests, select one of the following options to provide us with your privacy preferences.
Why it helps: Users have control over their personal information by being able to opt-out of sharing their data with business partners and receiving promotional communications from the company or its affiliates. This provides a mechanism to reduce unwanted marketing and manage privacy preferences.
If you do not want us to provide your information to our business partners, or if you do not wish to receive promotional communications from us or our affiliates concerning special offers, discounts, airline bonuses, or contests, select one of the following options to provide us with your privacy preferences:
**Other Uses of Personal Information**, paragraph 13 · Citation strength: strong
Protection95% confidence
Explicit Commitment Not to Collect Personal Information from Minors
Our websites are not intended for children, and we do not knowingly solicit or collect personal information for persons under the age of 18.
Why it helps: The company explicitly states that its websites are not for children and it does not knowingly solicit or collect personal information from individuals under 18 years of age. This commitment helps protect the privacy of minors by preventing the collection of their data.
Our websites are not intended for children, and we do not knowingly solicit or collect personal information for persons under the age of 18.