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Hyatt Hotels are using algorithmic Rest “smoking detectors”

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Re: Hyatt Hotels are using algorithmic Rest “smoking detectors”

#311

Post by nkrisc »

762236 wrote: post #232
WarOnPrivacy wrote: post #4

Synopsis and excerpt: [Rest] markets itself as a way to "unlock a new revenue stream" with the help of a "robust algorithm" for detecting smoking. Hotels where these sensors are installed rack up complaints and negative reviews, after Rest sensors register false positives - thereby unlocking that revenue stream for the hotels. The awesome thing about black-box algorithms is they can't be challenged when they're wrong…

Is there a way to deactivate the sensor if you find one in your room?

Tape a Tupperware container over it like every college student does in their dorm.

Re: Hyatt Hotels are using algorithmic Rest “smoking detectors”

#312

Post by pluc »

lxgr wrote: post #132

There has got to be a way to penalize companies for attempting this kind of thing. Even just removing the charge without discussion isn't enough, as some people will be traveling on a corporate card they don't necessarily monitor closely, will confuse the charge for something else etc. Otherwise, I'd love to be able to preemptively and without any prior communication charge (way in excess of the room rate, of course!…

> There has got to be a way to penalize companies for attempting this kind of thing

Yes, don't go to them.

Love,

Canada

Re: Hyatt Hotels are using algorithmic Rest “smoking detectors”

#313

Post by const_cast »

SoftTalker wrote: post #189
MiddleEndian wrote: post #134

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The smoke detector in my previous condo used to go off all the time when I showered. Had to remove it shortly after moving in lol

Must have been placed improperly. They should not be installed in kitchens or in or near bathrooms. But also, you should run the exhaust fan in the bathroom when you shower, this removes at least some of the moist air and cuts down on the chance for moisture damage and mold to develop.

> They should not be installed in kitchens or in or near bathrooms.

But then you can't catch vapers in the most popular vaping place: the bathroom. Oh no! Our revenue stream! It's broken!

I think, elephant in the room here, smoking is conspicuous and does real, tangible damage. Vaping? I'm not so sure.

Yeah vaping is lame but does it actually harm properties? I mean, if someone vapes 10 feet from me I can't smell it. And if I can smell it, it's gone in < 5 seconds. There's no smoke in it, it doesn't linger.

Re: Hyatt Hotels are using algorithmic Rest “smoking detectors”

#314

Post by xyzal »

WarOnPrivacy wrote: post #4

Synopsis and excerpt: [Rest] markets itself as a way to "unlock a new revenue stream" with the help of a "robust algorithm" for detecting smoking. Hotels where these sensors are installed rack up complaints and negative reviews, after Rest sensors register false positives - thereby unlocking that revenue stream for the hotels. The awesome thing about black-box algorithms is they can't be challenged when they're wrong…

Yet when you try to impose legislation regulating black-box algorithms, suddenly it's among the HN crowd the Big Bad EU choking businesses and stifling progress, vid the recent AI agreement discussion.

Re: Hyatt Hotels are using algorithmic Rest “smoking detectors”

#315

Post by const_cast »

dawnerd wrote: post #19

I bet Rest just uses a cheap voc sensor and triggers when a set threshold is hit. I doubt there's any algorithm involved.

It would be more profitable, and honestly probably more accurate, if the sensor was just a plastic box and then the app rolled a random number.

Re: Hyatt Hotels are using algorithmic Rest “smoking detectors”

#316

Post by tushar-r »

I'll probably pay 10 - 20% more for an "old school" hotel room with a clock radio and standard phone to call the front desk. No other "non-essential" electronics other than multiple well-placed power points. No TV, Coffee Machine either.

The number of bright screens on random "smart" controls that I'm trying very hard to hide before sleeping are too much.

Re: Hyatt Hotels are using algorithmic Rest “smoking detectors”

#317

Post by mgraczyk »

The reality is that most people who smoke/vape indoors will lie about it. I've witnessed this hundreds of times from hundreds of people. In every place I have lived I had neighbors who smoked (illegally) and lied about it to my face until I saw them doing it. I would bet that the system is 98%+ accurate and we are seeing the (many) false positives.

Obviously hotels should not use these unless there is some higher accuracy appeals process, but as a nonsmoker I do wish that there were universal and near certain fines for smoking indoors.

Re: Hyatt Hotels are using algorithmic Rest “smoking detectors”

#319

Post by eszed »

archagon wrote: post #223
SoftTalker wrote: post #182

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Maybe I don't go to liquor stores often enough but I can't imagine what you are talking about.

https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2022/03/12/business/walgreens-freeze...

LOL! I'd never seen those, either. Must not be a priority in my region, or I haven't been to a Walgreens recently. But, here's the reason:

> front-facing sensors used to anonymously track shoppers interacting with the platform

From my (albeit limited) experience with tech platforms like this, it probably is anonymous - but they're scary good at identifying your age and gender, and what you look at before you buy. That's the data they're immediately after.

Of course, they've probably already built a "shadow" profile of you based on your mobile phone identity, so they could cross-reference that if they cared to, and then a loyalty profile they could connect to that. So, yeah... The fridge data is technically anonymous, but, you know, data can be connected together in all sorts of ways. Privacy is dead.

Re: Hyatt Hotels are using algorithmic Rest “smoking detectors”

#320

Post by RandomThoughts3 »

SoftTalker wrote: post #290
jmb99 wrote: post #220

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Generally speaking, no. Most major hotel chains require a credit card.

Credit card is a proxy for an acceptable credit score. It's a filter so they can exclude irresponsible people without exposing themselves to claims of discrimination or racism. Unfortunately people who simply choose to live without using credit are caught up in that too.

You can easily book at big chains in the US as a foreigner despite having no credit score whatsoever so I don’t think that’s it. I guess it’s probably just that a having credit card and an id card ensure that they won’t have trouble charging you if they need to. The possibility alone is probably enough to deter most people who could be tempted to commit petty things like stealing towels.
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