Privacy Concerns Emerge at Las Vegas Hotel During Hacker Convention

Guests at Resorts World Las Vegas have raised privacy concerns amid heightened security measures during the Def Con 32 hackers convention. Some attendees report feeling targeted by daily room inspections, while the hotel maintains these checks are routine and not intrusive.

The heightened scrutiny comes in the wake of recent cybersecurity breaches affecting multiple casinos, where guest credit card and personal information were compromised. This context has intensified sensitivity around the security measures.

Korvin Szanto, a seasoned attendee of hackers conventions, shared his experience of an inspection where security personnel requested to inspect items like random cables and USB drives. Szanto described the inspections as overly thorough and suggested that similar practices have been encountered at other hotels.

In response to the concerns, Resorts World stated, “These inspections are a standard practice in many of Las Vegas’ premiere hotels, especially during periods of increased risk. They are a precautionary measure aimed at bolstering both physical and cybersecurity, protecting our guests, business partners, and staff from potential threats.”

Resorts World emphasized that the inspections are meant to maintain property integrity and safeguard against cyberattacks. However, some guests, like Chandler Emhoff, feel that the measures are an invasion of privacy and reflect unfair stereotyping due to the nature of the convention.