Will airport security (Australia specifically) check for pirated content? (lemmy.world)

submitted 1 year ago by Andiama@lemmy.world to c/piracy@lemmy.dbzer0.com

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Indonesian moving to Australia soon, I'm just concerned my laptop/phone will be checked for pirated content.

The general rule of thumb I've seen around the internet is "encrypt your drive", which is easy enough. But the other approach typically says "bring a burner phone / laptop" which of course isn't viable in my case.

Can anyone confirm on the legitimacy of these claims? I know I pirate light (""light"" compared to the vets here), but I'm just so paranoid that I could be held up and sent back home, because this might be my only shot.

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[-] Alimentar@lemmy.world 54 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

I've never experienced or heard of any airport checking the private contents of people's devices. Wouldn't that be a massive breach of privacy?

Also how would they know it's pirated or not. Wouldn't they have to check for licenses... Wouldn't that be incredibly time consuming for staff to be checking?

Im in serious doubt this would be a thing.

[-] Botree@lemmy.world 48 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Aussie here. They have the right to go through all your devices if they suspect you of smuggling or working or wanting to work illegally in Australia. They will read through all your private messages and have them translated if not in English. Even then I've never heard of airport security giving a rat's ass about pirated stuff.