Holiday travel is stressful enough with crowded airports, expensive flights and last-minute itinerary changes. But there’s a hidden part of the travel industry most people don’t know about: your personal data is being harvested, packaged and sold every time you book a flight, reserve a hotel room or check a travel app.

Whether you’re traveling for a Christmas break or booking early for New Year’s, the companies you trust with your most sensitive details—full name, home address, passport info, travel dates and device data—are sharing and selling far more than you think.

And during the holiday rush, that data becomes a goldmine for scammers.

Let’s unpack how this works, which companies collect the most and what you can do before you travel to keep your personal information out of the wrong hands.

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PROTECT YOUR DATA BEFORE HOLIDAY SHOPPING SCAMS STRIKE

Holiday travel brings more than stress because every booking and check-in quietly generates personal data you may not realize you are giving away. (iStock)

Why holiday travel puts your data at risk

The holiday season is the peak period for travel-related data collection. Airlines, hotels, booking platforms, loyalty programs and travel apps all experience massive traffic spikes—millions of Americans are searching for deals, comparing prices, checking gate changes and re-booking delayed flights.

Every one of those actions creates trackable data points, including:

• Email address
• Phone number
• Full name and DOB
• Address history
• Travel itineraries
• Passport or ID data
• Device fingerprint
• IP address and location
• Shopping habits and spending patterns.

You might assume this data stays with the airline or hotel. It doesn’t.

Most companies share it with advertisers, analytics firms, data brokers and dozens of unnamed “partners.” Some even use your data to profile you—how often you travel, how much you’ll likely spend and whether you’re a “high-value” target.

That information can easily leak into scammer databases, which is why holiday travelers suddenly see:

• Fake “your flight is canceled” texts
• Phishing emails that look identical to hotel confirmations
• Bogus baggage fee requests
• Fake TSA PreCheck renewal notices
• “Urgent re-verification required” messages.

Scammers rely on the fact that you’re stressed, rushing and expecting travel updates. And because they already have your personal data, their attacks are frighteningly convincing.

STOP FOREIGN-OWNED APPS FROM HARVESTING YOUR PERSONAL DATA

Airlines, hotels, apps and booking platforms collect far more information than most travelers know and that data often gets shared with advertisers and data brokers. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Examples of what major travel companies collect

Here are real-world examples of how holiday travel platforms collect and share your data:

1) Airlines (Delta, American, United, Southwest)

Major U.S. airlines collect not just your name, phone number and email, but also travel companions, payment details, geolocation data, device data and loyalty-program activity.

They share this with:

• “Marketing partners”
• Analytics platforms
• Third-party advertisers
• Data-enrichment firms.

Many of these partners, over time, become part of the data broker ecosystem.

2) Booking platforms (Expedia, Booking.com, Hotels.com)

Each booking platform details what it collects in its privacy policy. Oftentimes, these sites track:

• Search history
• Price views
• Device fingerprint
• Click behavior
• IP-based location
• Payment attempts—even abandoned carts.

This is used to build profiles that determine what deals you’re shown and how aggressively you’re targeted.

3) Hotel chains (Marriott, Hilton, IHG)

Marriott’s privacy policy and other privacy statements list over 60 categories of data it collects. Some chains were caught sharing guest data with:

• Ad networks
• Social media platforms
• Third-party “guest experience” tools
• Affiliate networks
• Data brokers for cross-device tracking.

Cybercriminals have been using the information of over 500 million Marriott guests, exposed during a four-year-long breach that started in 2014, to craft and execute travel-themed scams to this day.

4) Travel apps (Airbnb, Hopper, KAYAK, TripIt)

These are some of the most aggressive data collectors because they run nonstop on your phone. Many collect:

• Real-time location
• Contacts
• Clipboard data
• Behavioral analytics
• Device ID
• In-app browsing.

Some of these firms then “share information with partners for marketing enhancement,” which is typically code for data selling.

YOUR DISCARDED LUGGAGE TAGS ARE WORTH MONEY TO SCAMMERS

Scammers use leaked travel details to send fake flight alerts, hotel messages and urgent payment notices that look real because they already have your personal information. (iStock)

How scammers use your travel data

Once your information enters the ecosystem, scammers build travel-themed attacks designed to hit you at the worst possible time. Some common examples include:

• Fake airline notifications: (e.g., “Your flight has been canceled, click here to rebook”)
• Urgent hotel “payment failure” emails: Scammers use leaked address and booking data to send emails that look exactly like they’re from the Hilton or Marriott
• Fake baggage fees: (e.g., “Pay $24.90 to release your checked bag”)
• TSA and Global Entry renewal scams.

This isn’t guesswork. They already have your name, flight, hotel, location and travel dates—because the travel industry’s data partners sold or leaked them.

How to protect yourself before you travel

Here are my top steps to staying private this holiday season:

1) Check what data the travel companies already have

Hotels, airlines and booking sites all have data removal options—though they’re buried in their privacy settings.

2) Stop apps from tracking your location

Turn off location permissions for apps like:

• Hopper
• Airbnb
• Expedia
• HotelTonight.

Many track you even when not in use. Here’s how to do it for iPhone and Android:

On iPhone: Open Settings, tap Privacy & Security, then tap Location Services, scroll down to the app and tap each app, and set location access to “While Using the App” or “Never,” and turn off “Share My Location” if you don’t want them to see your exact spot.

On Android: Open Settings, tap Location, then choose App location permissions or App permissions, find the app and tap it, and change each one to “Allow only while using the app” or “Don’t allow” so they can’t track you in the background. (Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer.)

3) Remove your personal data from data broker sites

This is the most important step. Even if you stop airlines and hotels from collecting new data, your existing data is already circulating through dozens of data brokers, and that’s what scammers use to target travelers.

Data brokers hold:

• Your travel patterns
• Address history
• Email and phone details
• Income level
• Household info
• Your family members’ names.

You can manually request removal from hundreds of sites, but it takes months. That’s why I recommend a data removal service. While no service can guarantee the complete removal of your data from the internet, a data removal service is really a smart choice. They aren’t cheap, and neither is your privacy. These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically erasing your personal information from hundreds of websites. It’s what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to erase your personal data from the internet. By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of scammers cross-referencing data from breaches with information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you.

Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com

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4) Use an email alias for bookings

An alias email reduces the amount of spam and phishing attempts you’ll receive. By creating email aliases, you can also protect your information. These aliases forward messages to your primary address, making it easier to manage incoming communications and avoid data breaches. 

For recommendations on private and secure email providers that offer alias addresses, visit Cyberguy.com

5) Avoid airport Wi-Fi for anything involving payments

Scammers often run fake hotspots. So, avoid airport public Wi-Fi when accessing financial information.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

The holiday season is here, and many of us are getting ready to travel to see family and friends. As travel picks up, personal data collection and sharing also increases. Airlines, hotels and travel apps often share your information with unknown third parties, which scammers can use to target you during your trip. Before you pack your bags, take a few minutes to remove your personal data from online brokers. Doing this helps protect your identity and lets you travel with peace of mind.

How do you protect your personal information when you travel during the holidays? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

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When Xpeng unveiled its Next Gen Iron humanoid recently, the robot glided across the stage with movement so fluid that the crowd froze. Many viewers thought they saw an actor in a suit. Clips spread online within hours, and people everywhere claimed the same thing: it looked too human to be a machine.

The reaction spread fast, so Xpeng’s CEO He Xiaopeng returned to the stage one day later with a plan to settle the argument. He cut into Iron’s leg to show its internal machinery. It felt theatrical but also necessary to end the rumor that a human controlled the robot from inside.

The demonstration showed Iron was a real machine with complex systems beneath its flexible skin.

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ELON MUSK TEASES A FUTURE RUN BY ROBOTS

Iron’s debut stunned the crowd as the humanoid bot walked with movement so natural that many viewers thought there was a real person inside. (Xpeng)

Inside the next-gen iron humanoid

He shared how his robotics team stayed awake through the night, seeing viewers accuse them of staging a stunt. After the reveal, Iron walked again in front of the crowd without a human inside. The moment closed the debate and highlighted how far the company has come since its first model in 2024.

The latest Iron uses a humanoid spine with bionic muscles and flexible skin. It moves with 82 degrees of freedom, and its human-sized hands include 22 degrees of freedom supported by a tiny harmonic joint engineered by the company. The robot runs on all solid-state batteries that keep the body light and strong.

Iron also uses Xpeng’s second-generation VLA model. Three Turing chips with 2,250 TOPS of power support tasks like conversations, walking and natural interactions. It responds in ways that feel closer to a person than a robot.

Xpeng says future versions will offer different body shapes. That claim hints at customizable designs when these units reach consumers.

SMART FABRIC MUSCLES COULD CHANGE HOW WE MOVE

To silence the rumors, the team cut open Iron’s leg onstage and revealed the machinery beneath its flexible skin. (Xpeng)

A step toward a future of humanoid robots

Xpeng’s long-term vision goes far beyond a single showcase moment. The company plans to place the Next Gen Iron model in real-world environments. Early units will focus on commercial roles such as tour guides, shopping guides and customer service helpers. These placements allow the robots to interact with large crowds, gather feedback and refine their behavior in dynamic public spaces.

This rollout forms part of what Xpeng describes as a gradual path toward mass production. The team aims to reach large-scale manufacturing by the end of 2026. That milestone could introduce hundreds or even thousands of humanoid units into select venues. Businesses may adopt them to manage foot traffic, assist guests or support basic retail tasks.

While the company talks openly about commercial integration, the timeline for home use remains unclear. They have not shared when consumers will be able to buy a version suited for daily household tasks. Engineers still need to address safety, privacy and reliability standards before a humanoid can operate inside private homes.

Even so, this moment signals a clear shift: robots that move and react in a lifelike way are no longer far-off ideas. They are stepping into public spaces where people will see them operate up close. This shift could reshape how we all view service work and personal assistance in the years ahead.

THE NEW ROBOT THAT COULD MAKE CHORES A THING OF THE PAST

The exposed frame shows Iron’s bionic muscles, joints and wiring, giving a clear look at the advanced engineering that powers its lifelike movement. (Xpeng)

What this means for you

Humanoid robots are moving from concept to reality. You may soon see them in museums or stores. Their skills could speed up service and reduce wait times. These robots may also raise new questions about safety, privacy and comfort. Change happens fast, and this moment marks a major shift in how robots blend into daily life.

Take my quiz: How safe is your online security?

Think your devices and data are truly protected? Take this quick quiz to see where your digital habits stand. From passwords to Wi-Fi settings, you’ll get a personalized breakdown of what you’re doing right and what needs improvement. Take my Quiz here: Cyberguy.com 

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Kurt’s key takeaways

Xpeng wanted attention for its new humanoid, but received much more after people doubted what they saw. The dramatic reveal aimed to rebuild trust and show a future where robots can move and react with true precision. The next two years will shape how these machines enter real-world use.

Would you feel excited or uneasy walking up to a lifelike robot in a public place? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

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Cybercriminals keep finding new angles to get your attention, and email remains one of their favorite tools. Over the years, you have probably seen everything from fake courier notices to AI-generated scams that feel surprisingly polished. Filters have improved, but attackers have learned to adapt. The latest technique takes aim at something you rarely think about: the subject line itself. Researchers have found a method that hides tiny, invisible characters inside the subject so automated systems fail to flag the message. It sounds subtle, but it is quickly becoming a serious problem.

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NEW SCAM SENDS FAKE MICROSOFT 365 LOGIN PAGES

Cybercriminals are using invisible Unicode characters to disguise phishing email subject lines, allowing dangerous scams to slip past filters. (Photo by Donato Fasano/Getty Images)

How the new trick works

Researchers recently uncovered phishing campaigns that embed soft hyphens between every letter of an email subject. These are invisible Unicode characters that normally help with text formatting. They do not show up in your inbox, but they completely throw off keyword-based filters. Attackers use MIME encoded-word formatting to slip these characters into the subject. By encoding it in UTF-8 and Base64, they can weave these hidden characters through the entire phrase.

One analyzed email decoded to “Your Password is About to Expire” with a soft hyphen tucked between every character. To you, it looks normal. To a security filter, it looks scrambled, with no clear keyword to match. The attackers then use the same trick in the body of the email, so both layers slide through detection. The link leads to a fake login page sitting on a compromised domain, designed to harvest your credentials.

If you have ever tried spotting a phishing email, this one still follows the usual script. It builds urgency, claims something is about to expire and points you to a login page. The difference is in how neatly it dodges the filters you trust.

Why this phishing technique is super dangerous

Most phishing filters rely on pattern recognition. They look for suspicious words, common phrases and structure. They also scan for known malicious domains. By splitting every character with invisible symbols, attackers break up these patterns. The text becomes readable for you but unreadable for automated systems. This creates a quiet loophole where old phishing templates suddenly become effective again.

The worrying part is how easy this method is to copy. The tools needed to encode these messages are widely available. Attackers can automate the process and churn out bulk campaigns with little extra effort. Since the characters are invisible in most email clients, even tech-savvy users do not notice anything odd at first glance.

Security researchers point out that this method has appeared in email bodies for years, but using it in the subject line is less common. That makes it harder for existing filters to catch. Subject lines also play a key role in shaping your first impression. If the subject looks familiar and urgent, you are more likely to open the email, which gives the attacker a head start.

How to spot a phishing email before you click

Phishing emails often look legitimate, but the links inside them tell a different story. Scammers hide dangerous URLs behind familiar-looking text, hoping you will click without checking. One safe way to preview a link is by using a private email service that shows the real destination before your browser loads it.

Our top-rated private email provider recommendation includes malicious link protection that reveals full URLs before opening them. This gives you a clear view of where a link leads before anything can harm your device. It also offers strong privacy features like no ads, no tracking, encrypted messages and unlimited disposable aliases.

For recommendations on private and secure email providers, visit Cyberguy.com

PAYROLL SCAM HITS US UNIVERSITIES AS PHISHING WAVE TRICKS STAFF

A new phishing method hides soft hyphens inside subject lines, scrambling keyword detection while appearing normal to users. (Photo by Silas Stein/picture alliance via Getty Images)

9 steps you can take to protect yourself from this phishing scam

You do not need to become a security expert to stay safe. A few habits, paired with the right tools, can shut down most phishing attempts before they have a chance to work.

1) Use a password manager

A password manager helps you create strong, unique passwords for every account. Even if a phishing email fools you, the attacker cannot use your password elsewhere because each one is different. Most password managers also warn you when a site looks suspicious.

Next, see if your email has been exposed in past breaches. Our #1 password manager (see Cyberguy.com) pick includes a built-in breach scanner that checks whether your email address or passwords have appeared in known leaks. If you discover a match, immediately change any reused passwords and secure those accounts with new, unique credentials. 

Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2025 at Cyberguy.com.

2) Enable two-factor authentication

Turning on 2FA adds a second step to your login process. Even if someone steals your password, they still need the verification code on your phone. This stops most phishing attempts from going any further.

3) Install a reliable antivirus software

Strong antivirus software does more than scan for malware. Many can flag unsafe pages, block suspicious redirects and warn you before you enter your details on a fake login page. It is a simple layer of protection that helps a lot when an email slips past filters.

The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.

Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com.

4) Limit your personal data online

Attackers often tailor phishing messages using information they find about you. Reducing your digital footprint makes it harder for them to craft emails that feel convincing. You can use personal data removal services to clean up exposed details and old database leaks.

While no service can guarantee the complete removal of your data from the internet, a data removal service is really a smart choice. They aren’t cheap, and neither is your privacy. These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically erasing your personal information from hundreds of websites. It’s what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to erase your personal data from the internet. By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of scammers cross-referencing data from breaches with information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you.

AI FLAW LEAKED GMAIL DATA BEFORE OPENAI PATCH

Researchers warn that attackers are bypassing email defenses by manipulating encoded subject lines with unseen characters. (Photo by Lisa Forster/picture alliance via Getty Images)

Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com.

Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: Cyberguy.com

5) Check sender details carefully

Do not rely on the display name. Always check the full email address. Attackers often tweak domain names by a single letter or symbol. If something feels off, open the site manually instead of clicking any link inside the email.

6) Never reset passwords through email links

If you get an email claiming your password will expire, do not click the link. Go to the website directly and check your account settings. Phishing emails rely on urgency. Slowing down and confirming the issue yourself removes that pressure.

7) Keep your software and browser updated

Updates often include security fixes that help block malicious scripts and unsafe redirects. Attackers take advantage of older systems because they are easier to trick. Staying updated keeps you ahead of known weaknesses.

8) Turn on advanced spam filtering or “strict” filtering

Many email providers (Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo) allow you to tighten spam filtering settings. This won’t catch every soft-hyphen scam, but it improves your odds and reduces risky emails overall.

9) Use a browser with anti-phishing protection

Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Brave, and Edge all include anti-phishing checks. This adds another safety net if you accidentally click a bad link.

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Kurt’s key takeaway

Phishing attacks are changing fast, and tricks like invisible characters show how creative attackers are getting. It’s safe to say filters and scanners are also improving, but they cannot catch everything, especially when the text they see is not the same as what you see. Staying safe comes down to a mix of good habits, the right tools, and a little skepticism whenever an email pushes you to act quickly. If you slow down, double-check the details, and follow the steps that strengthen your accounts, you make it much harder for anyone to fool you.

Do you trust your email filters, or do you double-check suspicious messages yourself? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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