Offering GuestWiFi in 2025 – legally compliant or a pure risk?

GuestWiFi is everywhere - What is the legal status in 2025?

Whether it's WiFi in cafes, restaurants, vacation rentals, doctor’s offices, car dealerships, hotels, or banks - GuestWiFi is everywhere and therefore, it is also a constant topic in the legal realm. The article gives you an insight into the current status as of April 2025.

Offering WiFi – a nice gesture with a bitter aftertaste?

WiFi for guests is simply a must nowadays. Just like clean cutlery or a working toilet. Anyone who doesn’t offer it seems out of date. And honestly: If guests stay longer, surf, post, order - that can be even good for business, right?

Only… there’s a catch. And it's legal.

Many business owners suspect that when it comes to open WiFi, you need to “be a bit careful” – but what that actually means is often unclear. Who is liable if guests mess up? Do you really have to register all users? And is a simple password on a note by the counter even secure?

Let's break it all down step by step – no worries, we'll keep it light.

What could happen? Unfortunately, quite a lot

Here are a few real-life examples – it all happened, all got expensive:

• A hotel guest downloads a recent movie via a file-sharing platform during their stay. Boom – copyright infringement.

• A café visitor surfs on sites with extremist content. The IP address leads directly to the café operator.

• A regular streams music from dubious sources. One day, a cease-and-desist order arrives.

• And then there are the infamous file-sharing traps: The guest downloads, you pay.

And no, this isn’t just a big city problem. These incidents happen everywhere – in Bavaria, the Ruhr area, the countryside.

Why? Because the internet doesn’t care whether you're running a small family bistro or a hotel chain.

Who is actually liable? Spoiler: Not the guest

The bitter truth: If you provide the WiFi, you’re the one on the hook initially.

At least that was the case until a few years ago – keyword liability of disturbance. Sounds technical, but in plain language, it means: Even if you haven't done anything illegal, you can still be held liable. Simply because you enabled access.

Just like if you lend someone your car – and they get caught speeding through the city.

You weren’t the one. But you get the mail.

What does the law say? TMG, DSA, DDG – and why is it important for you

Okay, now a brief legal excursion – promised: brief, understandable, practical.

Previously, the so-called Telemedia Act (TMG) regulated who was liable for what online. Particularly, § 8 was relevant for operators of WiFi networks.

Since February 2024, that’s history. Now the Digital Services Act (DSA) applies across Europe, supplemented by the Digital Services Law (DDG). And what does it say?

Roughly speaking: Those who provide internet access without actively intervening (i.e., without filtering, selecting, or altering content) are on the safe side regarding claims for damages.

Sounds good at first, right?

But wait – liability of disturbance isn’t entirely off the table.

Because with injunctive reliefs (i.e., if someone wants you to prevent future legal violations), you can still be held accountable. Yes, even if you actually did nothing wrong.

And that means: Warnings, court cases, blockade obligations – all of this can still land back on your desk.

The role of the courts: Judges can also order blocks

An exciting aspect that many overlook: Authorities cannot force you to register your guests or require a password – it’s stated in the law.

But courts can.

And they do, if someone successfully sues you. Then it might mean: "Enforce password protection!", "Block peer-to-peer!", "Block access to certain sites!"

In other words: If you don’t have a legally sound WiFi, someone can give you a hard time – and it will get really expensive.

What to do? The 3 most common (mis)solutions in the hospitality industry

1. Sharing private WiFi with a password
   Sounds simple, but it’s not. Once you hand out the password, you are legally speaking, sharing your internet connection – and that makes you vulnerable.
   
   

2. Open WiFi without a password
   Technically convenient – legally a nightmare. These scenarios used to lead to massive waves of warnings.
   
   

3. Hotspot provider with monthly fee
   This is safe – but also expensive. Ongoing costs, contract commitments, support disasters included. Plus, it’s usually completely oversized for small shops.

   
   

And now the best part: Legally secure WiFi – pay once, done

Do you know what entrepreneurs really want? Clarity. Simplicity. No nasty surprises.

That’s exactly what’s now available: Guest WiFi with legal assurance – no ongoing costs.
💡 One-time payment. Lifetime peace of mind.

We offer:

✅ Legally secure technology according to DDG & DSA
✅ No need for personal data collection
✅ Protection against warnings, injunctions & blocking orders
✅ Easy plug & play solution
✅ Ideal for small and medium businesses

In a nutshell: You offer your guests WiFi – we take care of the rest. And the best part? You only pay once. No subscription, no follow-up costs, no small print.

Conclusion: Offering WiFi – but please, with intelligence

Digital service is great – no question.
But nobody wants to stay up all night because of someone else’s downloads.
The good news: You don’t have to.

With a legally secure WiFi, you ensure satisfied guests, stay legally clean – and protect your business from nasty surprises.

Because let’s be honest: WiFi today is like salt. Everyone needs it – but nobody wants the salt shaker drama on the table.

Curious?

If you're thinking now: “I’d like such a solution”, then get in touch.
Pay once. Have peace. Offer WiFi without breaking a sweat. Sounds good? It is.

👉 Write to us, give us a call, or send a pigeon – just don’t wait until the first warning arrives.