I'm usually an uncooperative bastard at times like this. I ask them what their purpose is in retaining a copy of my identity document, and I ask for their priva

I'm usually an uncooperative bastard at times like this. I ask them what their purpose is in retaining a copy of my identity document, and I ask for their privacy policy. When I'm travelling for work and a hotel asks I simply say no, and remind them I can lodge a complaint with our corporate travel provider that will have them delisted for future business; usually they come to their senses. For overseas travel (where they often have to fax your passport to the police) I ask for the photocopy back when I check out; since these documents are lost/misfiled regularly the desk clerk usually complies. Always try for point-in-time ID verification rather than retention.