A coalition of some of the UK’s biggest online travel agencies (OTAs) has called on regulators to put an end to Ryanair’s online verification process.
The group claims the process unfairly targets customers who book their flights via an online travel company.
Last week Ryanair called on customers to book directly with carriers after accusing some OTAs of providing airlines with inaccurate passenger details which can block customers from managing their bookings on the Ryanair website.
In a letter sent to UK regulators, members of Online Travel UK, including Booking.com, eDreams Odigeo, Expedia Group, Kiwi.com, lastminute.com, Skyscanner and On the Beach, outlined their claims that Ryanair’s online verification process could be in breach of UK data protection rules.
According to the group, the system implemented by Ryanair includes uploading sensitive personal information such as biometrics in order to access an online booking or check-in online.
The letter signatories believe Ryanair may be breaching UK data protection rules which require data collection to be necessary and kept to a minimum.
