this post was submitted on 19 Jul 2025
665 points (99.1% liked)

A Boring Dystopia

13146 readers
469 users here now

Pictures, Videos, Articles showing just how boring it is to live in a dystopic society, or with signs of a dystopic society.

Rules (Subject to Change)

--Be a Decent Human Being

--Posting news articles: include the source name and exact title from article in your post title

--If a picture is just a screenshot of an article, link the article

--If a video's content isn't clear from title, write a short summary so people know what it's about.

--Posts must have something to do with the topic

--Zero tolerance for Racism/Sexism/Ableism/etc.

--No NSFW content

--Abide by the rules of lemmy.world

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
 

Guests report getting billed hundreds of dollars for smoking, based on the readings of an "algorithmic" smoke detector. The sensor manufacturer markets its product as a way for hotels to unlock new revenue streams.

See also: https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/cobb-county/marietta-hotel-fined-women-hundreds-smoking-they-say-other-activities-tripped-sensors/WPFWFT7INFGOLHR4HSQK7YIOKY/

(page 2) 50 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] M0oP0o@mander.xyz 8 points 6 days ago

Ah one step closer to "Fuck you, pay me" business style.

[–] Nusm@peachpie.theatl.social 6 points 6 days ago

I'd hire a lawyer and hit them for reimbursement of the $500 fee, my legal fees, slander for claiming I'm a smoker, punitive damages, and any another other monetary penalty I could think of. I'm sure I could find a lawyer that would be salivating over this.

[–] kerrigan778@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 5 days ago

This should absolutely be becoming a massive class action suit against both the hotel and the smoke detector maker. All you have to do is prove in court that the detector can be triggered by things other than smoking.

[–] kbobabob@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 5 days ago

You know those plastic hair covers fit really nicely over the smoke detectors.

[–] dual_sport_dork@lemmy.world 236 points 1 week ago (13 children)

I have never seen a more clear cut example of a perfect use case for a credit card chargeback.

Fun fact: You can't dispute part of a charge. If you charge this back and win (you probably will) the hotel loses out on everything, for your entire stay. It also stacks up against them and raises their rates the more they get. An even vaguely concerted effort by people who have been ripped off by this would probably get the hotel in question booted from their credit card processor.

I imagine it's damn difficult to run a hotel if you can't accept credit cards. Just saying.

[–] Brkdncr@lemmy.world 6 points 6 days ago (1 children)

That’s not where it ends though. They can send you to collections.

Happened to me from Verizon after I returned their modem and they said I didn’t.

Many different collectors called and wouldn’t the same track# and photos to show it was returned. It eventually went on my credit, which took a slight hit for all of 2 months.

[–] HK65@sopuli.xyz 1 points 6 days ago (1 children)

This is why it's great to belong to the 90% of the world without credit scores. Something similar happened to me, I just sent the company an email that told them that they bought bad credit after a washing machine manufacturer charged me for an in-warranty repair that they didn't even perform.

Haven't heard from them since.

[–] aidan@lemmy.world 1 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Then they just threaten to take you to court.

load more comments (1 replies)
[–] imrighthere@lemmy.ca 122 points 1 week ago (11 children)

They disputed it with their bank, the bank sided with the hotel because of the sensor report. Just saying.

load more comments (11 replies)
load more comments (11 replies)

Wow. That is.... that is some horseshit.

load more comments
view more: ‹ prev next ›