13 Oct HOSPITALITY TECHNOLOGY EXPERT WITNESS TESTIMONY CONSULTANT FOR LEGAL MATTERS
Top hospitality technology expert witness consultants and testimony leaders get called upon to provide insights on complex technical issues in legal proceedings. That makes sense, given how much AI, automation and various new advancements are changing the space. We asked hospitality technology expert witness where specialists most frequently offer opinions, nowadays.
- Property Management Systems (PMS)
At the heart of business operations, Property Management Systems are a frequent subject of testimony. Leading areas of focus for hospitality technology expert witnesses include:
- System implementation and integration challenges
- Data security and compliance with privacy regulations (e.g., GDPR, CCPA)
- Functionality and performance issues affecting guest service or revenue
- Contract disputes with PMS vendors
Prominent hospitality technology expert witnesses evaluate whether a PMS met industry standards, if implementation was handled properly, or if system failures resulted in quantifiable damages to the property.
- Cybersecurity and Data Breaches
With hotels handling vast amounts of sensitive guest data, cybersecurity is a critical concern. And so leading pros opine on:
- Adequacy of data protection measures from a hospitality technology expert witness perspective
- Compliance with industry standards (e.g., PCI DSS for payment data)
- Incident response procedures following a data breach
- Assessment of damages resulting from cybersecurity incidents
Testimony can be crucial in determining liability and damages in cases involving data breaches or cyber attacks.
- Online Distribution and Revenue Management Systems
As digital channels dominate bookings, hospitality technology expert witnesses frequently address issues related to online distribution and revenue management:
- Channel management system performance and integration
- Rate parity across distribution channels
- Revenue management system algorithms and decision-making processes
- OTA contract compliance and dispute resolution
Advisors assess whether systems performed as promised or if technical issues led to revenue loss or brand damage.
- Guest-Facing Technologies
The proliferation of guest-facing technologies has introduced new areas for expert testimony:
- Mobile check-in/check-out systems and digital key implementations
- In-room technology (e.g., smart TVs, voice assistants, IoT devices)
- Wi-Fi network performance and security
- Guest app functionality and user experience
Famous hospitality technology expert witnesses evaluate whether these technologies met guest expectations, complied with accessibility requirements, or introduced security vulnerabilities.
- Payment Systems and Fraud Prevention
With the complexity of modern payment ecosystems, leaders opine on:
- Payment gateway integrations and PCI compliance
- Tokenization and encryption of payment data
- Fraud detection and prevention systems
- Chargeback management processes
Pros’ expertise can be vital in cases involving payment disputes, fraudulent transactions, or system vulnerabilities that led to financial losses.
In providing opinions, advisors span the distance between complex technical concepts and legal proceedings, pros shed light on technology implementations, failures, and best practices.
