Marriott settles for $52 million over a data breach affecting 131.5 million guests, agreeing to improve its security practices and consumer protections.

Attorney General Brenna Bird announced Wednesday that Iowa will receive over half a million in the nationwide $52 million settlement with Marriott.

Tennessee AG Skrmetti announced a $52 million settlement with Marriott over a data breach impacting 131.5 million records.

Marriott International has agreed to pay $52 million and make changes to bolster its data security. The payment was made to resolve state and federal claims related to major data breaches that affected more than 300 million of its customers worldwide.

"Marriott's poor security practices led to multiple breaches affecting hundreds of millions of customers," said Samuel Levine, director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection.

Marriott International is being taken to task after the hotel chain suffered multiple data breaches that exposed sensitive information for more than 344 million customers around the world.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts and its parent company, Marriott International, will pay a $52M penalty and upgrade their security programs as part of a pair of settlements over three data breaches in the last decade.

When people book a hotel stay for travel or work, they shouldn’t have to worry that their personal data and credit card information will be stolen."

The hotel operator resolved state and federal claims related to massive data breaches between 2014 and 2020 that impacted more than 344 million customers worldwide.