Controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2019
Huazhu responds to reports about guest-data collection
Company response
Huazhu responded to reports about guest-data collection by stating that guests could choose between manual check-in at the front desk or online check-in. The company acknowledged that individual front-desk employees might guide guests toward a particular check-in method. Huazhu also said it had established an information security committee and was optimizing its online check-in system so that the relevant notices would be clearer.
Huazhu said guests could choose manual or online check-in, acknowledged that individual front-desk employees might guide guests toward a particular check-in method, and said it had established an information security committee and was optimizing the online check-in system to make notices clearer.
Stated objective. 保障住客的信息安全
Company response
Investigation — 华住集团
媒体报道此事后，集团成立了信息安全委员会，保障住客的信息安全。
Remediation — 华住集团
集团相关部门正对在线办理系统进行优化，确保系统中涉及住客信息的提示（告知）更明显，让住客作出合理选择。
Source excerpt
17日下午，澎湃新闻（www.thepaper.cn）从华住集团获悉：住客可自行选择入住方式，前台人工或在线办理等方式入住均可；但不排除个别前台员工引导事务（入住方式）；目前，该集团已成立信息安全委员会，保障住客的信息安全，相关系统正进行优化。
华住不仅未明示消费者“扫码入住即入会”，其收集的有关信息也违背“最少够用原则”。
在办理入住时，一些酒店没有明示或者主动告知“扫码入住即等于入会”，除非住客主动明确提出“微信无法使用”或“不想成为华住会员”。
2018
Suspected large-scale leak of Huazhu hotel customer information and arrest of suspect
In August 2018, messages appeared online offering for sale Huazhu hotel customer data, claiming about 500 million records; Xinhua reported on the matter and highlighted data security responsibility. The company subsequently said that a suspect had been arrested by police, but its statement made clear that whether the data was leaked and whether the dark web claims were true still awaited investigation results; the claimed number cannot be regarded as a verified leaked volume.
2018
Undercover inspections of Guangzhou budget hotels find substandard hygiene and cleaning
In 2018, media conducted undercover visits to 10 budget hotels in Guangzhou and reported that some guest supplies and sanitary facilities tested positive for excessive bacteria or pathogenic bacteria, involving specific outlets such as 7 Days Inn and Hanting. The tests described in the report were based on the sampled locations visited and cannot be used to infer that all hotels of the same brands nationwide were substandard; the Huazhu connection is its Hanting business.
2017
After JI Hotel towel-toilet cleaning exposure, complaining guest's negative note prompts apology
In 2017, a guest video exposed that cleaning staff at Huazhu's JI Hotel in Jinan used guest towels to wipe toilet bowls. In 2018, when the customer stayed again, they found a note in the backend about evidence collection and negative behavior concerning them, sparking controversy over hygiene management and treatment of complainants. Huazhu apologized in 2018 and said it would update the inappropriate note.