What should I request from a hotel or public Wi-Fi operator?¶

A venue name is only the starting point. Shared networks may have many users and several organisations holding different parts of the record.

The request¶

Preserve and provide, where available:

• public IP, exact time and time zone;
• source port and protocol;
• the event or session reference;
• the operator of the internet service;
• gateway, NAT, DHCP or firewall records;
• Wi-Fi controller or access-point association;
• captive-portal or authentication details; and
• relevant booking, access-code or payment records.

Ask which system generated each result and how long it retains it. A hotel, managed Wi-Fi company and upstream provider may each hold only one layer.

What it may establish¶

A record may associate activity with a device identifier, access code, booking or area. Anonymous access, shared credentials, false details and privacy features remain possible. CCTV or venue records may help, but only within their coverage and lawful scope.

Keep the request narrow and consider preservation quickly where retention is short.