Ryanair could be grounded in Ireland because it requests extra data from external customers
Ryanair’s ‘customer verification process’ for tickets booked through third-party websites has attracted the attention of the country’s Data Protection Commission (DPC).
An affected customer speaks out for the consumer rights program Tear off Britain (via The Register), claimed that the rigorous process “involves a check of identity and facial similarity [checks], [a] Vibrance control and [a] profile data check”, with some customers choosing to write off the cost and book a flight on another airline if this fails.
The DPC has indicated that more than one European Union (EU) member state is involved in the investigation, which will decide whether Ryanair is specifically adhering to its legal obligations under the GDPR, including whether it is transparent about the way the data is processed. used and whether the data is used within the limits of EU law.
Ryanair DPC data protection case
The perceived wisdom is that Ryanair has the right to conduct the verification process. In July 2024, a US court ruled that online travel agency (OTA) Booking.com was selling Ryanair tickets through the airline’s website.without permission”, and therefore made it difficult for the airline to stay in touch with customers.
To this end, a Ryanair spokesperson emphasizes this The registry the verification process “ensures that these passengers make the necessary security declarations and promptly receive all safety and regulatory protocols necessary while traveling, as required by law.”
They also seemed eager to settle the legal status of the verification process in court, while damning supposedly unscrupulous OTAs.
“We welcome this DPC investigation into our booking verification process, which protects customers from the few remaining unapproved OTAs, who provide false customer contact and payment details to cover up the fact that they are overcharging and defrauding consumers.”
