Australian Customs Laptop Inspections [Archive]

betaboy

18th Feb 2008, 05:59

From the GMA:

Australian Customs Laptop Inspections

We have been informed that Australian Customs in ADL have been conducting searches of crew members’ laptops for illegal or indecent material. Several crew members from Malaysia Airlines and Singapore Airlines are being held in custody following inspections of their personal laptop computers.

If you are operating to any Australian port and are planning to bring your personal computer and/or mobile phone, check to make sure they contain no illegal material. Such material comprises illegally downloaded mp3 or videos files, or pornography.

So just for fun, I googled a bit and found this:

http://digital.asiaone.com/Digital/News/Story/A1Story20080214-49686.html

Having child porn on one's laptop is quite different than having a few MP3s or a TV show, is it not? Surely even an Australian customs officer would agree...

slapfaan

18th Feb 2008, 08:25

Surely even an Australian customs officer would agree...

Not so sure if they will see it that way,mate..

There's a reason why people work at customs,and cannot find any other employment..not exactly the brightest of sparks..:eek:

betaboy

18th Feb 2008, 08:30

More here:

http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=313058&highlight=australian+customs+laptop

Aussie

18th Feb 2008, 08:59

that would mean they are pullin everyone up! I cant imagine anyone not having any form of illegal MP3s on the Laptop!

Teal

18th Feb 2008, 10:45

Quote:
Such material comprises illegally downloaded mp3 or videos files, or pornography.They won't be bothered with checking mp3 or general mpeg files as it's almost impossible to establish their illegality or otherwise. I suspect even regular porn will not phase them. However porn involving kids or actors pretending to be kids (ie, under 18 years of age) is a completely different - and serious - issue.

GA715

18th Feb 2008, 11:22

Nah mate even so. Even with mp3 or videos. Should realise that this is basically all about their discretion. If they want to nail you, they'll nail you or at the very least make your life that much harder.

Why give them that opportunity. Cover your ass anyway possible, I say i.e. encrypt etc etc.

Yes, I acknowledge and understand their job in protecting australia's borders etc etc but they're also a major revenue raising arm of the gov't...

Anyways my personal opinion of them (which I am much very entitled too) is :mad:

moosp

18th Feb 2008, 13:00

It looks like jobs for the boys. Why stop something at the border that you can then get in the terminal building by download ten minutes later? Sounds dumb-ass to me.

Indonesia had the right idea when it sacked its customs and excise department almost in total. They outsourced it to a Swiss company and mysteriously the flow of goods and people through the borders increased and customs revenues increased. I think the same would happen in Oz, but the unions will insist on control of the borders.

Pity, but there it is.

Aussie

18th Feb 2008, 19:47

anyone actually been pulled up and had the laptop searched, recently, since this fiasco started?

missingblade

19th Feb 2008, 04:13

Yes several CX crews have been checked out and their laptops looked into. One guy had very little on a new laptop - so they started searching his baggage for CD's/ external drives etc. They were really keen to find something.
Soon aircrew will be shackled and led blindfolded and barefoot to and from their cockpits where they will be locked in from the outside for the duration of the flight:}

Hoofharted

19th Feb 2008, 05:02

I would be quite happy to have my laptop perused everytime I passed through customs if it meant catching even just one lowlife scumbag piece of sh1t like the kiddie porn peddlar recently caught in Adelaide. The only dissapointment is the fact that he was not shot in the head and left on a pike-poll to serve as an example.

Perhaps when you bitch and moan about this procedure, you might think of your own children or the children of people who are close to you and ask yourself how you might feel if it was one of them that these animals had taken advantage of.

Sqwak7700

19th Feb 2008, 05:15

Hoofharted

19th Feb 2008, 05:31

sqwak 7700, you are indeed a putrid individual. I have two children and feel strongly, very strongly about this. You are a gutless and spineless individual to cast aspersions like you have and hide behind the annonymity of this website. Perhaps if you have any courage or integrity you might email me with an identity and make such an accusation face to face. Willing to try it?

Teal

19th Feb 2008, 10:48

The way they seem to be targeting Asian crews indicates that maybe they have been tipped off or have some other intel to suggest there is some sort of organised child porn activity. They can't be serious about innocuous mp3 files or copy DVDs - thousands of pax fly in to Oz everyday lugging bags full of pirated DVDs from Bali, Thailand, Malaysia, China, etc etc. Nothing happens.

jumpseat

19th Feb 2008, 18:29

Didn't being a criminal used to be a requirement?
None of the residents have porn or bad naughty stuff on their computers of course.
It's only tourists, crew and immigrants.
Strewth!

lowerlobe

19th Feb 2008, 21:55

Missed the point?............

I doubt it...

It's bad enough to have home grown scum but at least we can stop any more deviates and potential trouble makers from coming into Australia.

The way these post are going you would think that Australia is the only country to have customs that are interested in what is entering their borders.

hk330busdriver

20th Feb 2008, 00:49

My laptop was check in Adl a week or so ago. I was told to power up the laptop and they took it away to check. The computer was returned some 5 minutes later. I was asked if there was any illegal pornography on the laptop prior to it being taken away.

On returning to Australia (I'm based) I asked some of the customs folk I know about this procedure and was told they were specifically targeting child porn and was told quote "you wouldn't believe some of the stuff we're catching".

For those that are worried about the odd MP3 or copied software I have had discussed this with customs only recently. I was told that a few copies of movies software etc was not worth chasing as it required the involvement of the copyright holder. I have been told that they are only interested in volume or multiple copies of the same title. For reference I had both music and some software on my laptop.:uhoh::uhoh:

slapfaan

20th Feb 2008, 01:44

Yes several CX crews have been checked out and their laptops looked into.

Pity that I just CANNOT remember my password after a long flight...:confused:

The Rip

20th Feb 2008, 02:41

Was in ADL last week, Once my bags went through the Xray Customs wanted me to open up the bags. Told me to switch on my computer. The funny thing was I couldnt get into the computer with my password or with my fingerprint on the scanner. Tried everything restarted etc. still could not get in. The password was correct but Vista would not load up the profile. Anyway after 10 minutes the guy gave up., and let me go. The other cabin crew wo had a laptop was just told to switch on the computer but she said the customs guy didnt really look at any files etc. I later found out that it was probably a windows update that screwed the system on my computer up.

slapfaan

20th Feb 2008, 04:52

Spoke to solicitor friend of mine regarding this.

As many people use laptops/notebooks for business (including ailrline crew!),there is often personal and financial info on these machines,so the view of the law is that you DO NOT have to hand over such info to anybody - INCLUDING customs..

Hence the reason why the MAS capt/FO was asked to pay a fine,as opposed to a courtcase..which would certainly have failed to get anyone convicted.I'm not trying to justify any form of porn etc on computers,but there you go..

So..next time you're down in Oz and they ask you to switch on your laptop or hand it over for inspection..just say "NO" :ouch:

powerstall

20th Feb 2008, 05:30

maybe these guys just want to do something, just to justify their funding... hehehe :confused:

slapfaan

20th Feb 2008, 11:06

Yeah mate...funding for Rudd and the rest of his corrupt ministers!!!:ugh::yuk:

malcolmyoung90

21st Feb 2008, 03:24

Spoke to solicitor friend of mine regarding this.

You're sure this solicitor was speaking about Australian law?

Hence the reason why the MAS capt/FO was asked to pay a fine,as opposed to a courtcase..which would certainly have failed to get anyone convicted.I'm not trying to justify any form of porn etc on computers,but there you go..

The Malaysian captain was fined approx A$5K by the Court. He was required to be appear in Court and did so. It was in the newspapers here - I will post a link if you haven't seen it.

DEFCON4

21st Feb 2008, 04:00

Saying no to an Australian Customs Officer is not very wise.They have far greater powers of search and arrest than the ordinary copper.You can be held almost indefinitely just on suspicion of whatever they like to concoct.
Saying no will likely mean your layover in OZ is longer than you or your employer would like..things have changed since 911..for the worse

jed_thrust

21st Feb 2008, 07:37

Saying no to an Australian Customs Officer is not very wise

Couldn't agree more! I spoke with a lady from Customs a few days ago, asking her about our rights.

While she is not a lawyer - and did not pretend to know all the relevant legislation - she did say that any bags or luggage (or contents) is theirs to do with as they see fit. However, she also mentioned that they do require "cause" to carry out a body check.

So, swallow your hard drive!

I think it's time the AOA volunteered some advice for us weary travellers.

Harbour Dweller

21st Feb 2008, 11:18

I am all for Customs Officers protecting their Countries borders. However if these searches of Laptops are found to be illegal why should we put up with being treated like criminals.

It appears as though Customs themselves aren't exactly clear if these searches are legal.

Seems there are more freedoms to be found living in a Communist country than that of living in Australia these days. :hmm:

Lancelot37

21st Feb 2008, 12:36

I fly into ADL on Monday from PER. The battery on my laptop is knackered and it will only boot up with a power supply.

malcolmyoung90

24th Feb 2008, 11:32

From "The Advertiser" Sat 23rd Feb 2008

Airline Steward Fined For Importing Porn

A Singapore Airlines steward has been fined $10,000 for bringing banned pornography into Australia and making a false declaration to Customs.
Malaysian-national Hwee Poh Neo, 41, pleaded guilty in the Adelaide Magistrates Court yesterday to two counts of import prohibited goods and making a false or misleading statement to a Customs officer.
The court heard Neo had five pornographic movies on a hard drive and 25 images on his laptop computer.

:=:=:=:=:=:=:=

Akali Dal

25th Feb 2008, 21:23

After a long overnight flight into Syd, I had an exasperating experience with a customs officer. My skin colour must have something to do with it. I had declared some prescription medicine; in the full open view I was berated loudly for bringing in " drugs ". I told the officer, " sir, not DRUGS, only my medicine ". " WHAT medicine, WHY DO YOU NEED MEDICINE? ARE YOU SICK, YOU KNOW IF YOU ARE SICK YOU CANNOT FLY..YOU ARE DANGEROUS, YOU WILL KILL PEOPLE " came to reply. Wow! What a spectacle, a whole group of memsahibs glared at me, some covering their mouths in gasps.

I wearily explained as I had written " prescription medicine " for cholesterol control and betaloc for elevated high pressure. I surely needed my betaloc then dealing with such an ass. He called for two other officers who came and search through my bags, looked over my medicine. In the ever loud voice ( louder than Bollywood movie dialogue! ), he demanded if the medicine has my name and doctor's name. I replied only my name and that of the pharmacy, but no doctor's name. Then they found issue that my name had faded from the name label, so didn't match exactly with my passport and ID. " WAS IT SOME OTHER FAMILY MEMBER"S? WHY DO YOU NEED IT? PILOTS DO NOT TAKE MEDICINE? ARE YOU SURE IT"S BETALOC IN THE TABS", they bellowed. I was then asked if I had a letter from my doctor, I said no and asked them why not check with the Airport doctor if they thought that pilots are not allowed betaloc. " WE ASK THE QUESTIONS HERE, WE WILL DO THE NECESSARY, YOU JUST ANSWER OUR QUESTIONS!!"
Then they took me to my room, emptied all my stuff onto a table, comb through my stuff and then ordered me to repack my things. After a long while whislt they chit chatted, they " ADVISE ME " to have clear labels, doctor's name and type of prescription ( not brand names like zocor, betaloc ). I was let off with nary an apology or thank you for my cooperation.

In detention room were other Asian/Oriental pax subjected to humiliating searches; junkie looking caucasians amongst our pax were just waved off politely outside. I am not saying that they should be targetted, but if random checks are the norm why the disparity in ethnic composition of those searched?

slapfaan

26th Feb 2008, 00:50

AKALI DAL...

This just proofs once again that the Oz customs officials are nothing but a bunch of dumb,stupid,racist pricks...as I said before..there is normally a good reason why these :mad: idiots cannot find any other employment..

It's about high time that somebody takes them on..and it will come.Just watch the media!!

Eyes only

26th Feb 2008, 09:07

slapfaan : the term they use is profiling, considering they have caught tree people in as many weeks that fit the profile, I think they know what they are doing.

Often these profiles are discovered by accident, someone gets caught for something else and this comes up in the discovery process. Someone then has a theory, tests it, and we end up with a profile.

I happens all over the world, different target groups, different reasons.

Max Reheat

26th Feb 2008, 12:41

It's just astonishing that this invasion of personal privacy is being allowed to continue uncontested!
What a shame the world's airline crews are unable / unwilling to come together and boycott AUS flights until our companies insist on sensible regulations!

Freehills

26th Feb 2008, 13:14

Um, because it happens to be the law that customs officials, if they have reasonable suspicion, can search your personal belongings...? Or are you suggesting that airline staff be allowed to take drugs, porn, other prohibited items into any country because airlines insist it be allowed?

moosp

26th Feb 2008, 13:39

Ummm Feehills, (and please never loose that handle, we know what you mean by it...), it is accepted by all crew and passengers that customs and excise officials have rights of search. What Akali Dal is questioning is do they have the right of racism. If his report is true, they believe that they do.

Profiling is acceptable if it is carried out in a way that would be acceptable to a jury, who after all would be the ultimate deciders in this if it came to court. Hopefully (but not always, unfortunately) the jury would be able to be colour blind to the incident.

As a white caucasian male I have been subjected to appalling abuse by indviduals of the Australian customs and immigration services. Thankfully these occasions are rare, and are mostly confined to the security staff who claim to be customs.

As I pointed out to an aggressive customs woman some time ago, she was a disgrace to her uniform and her country. Her colleagues within earshot could hardly stifle their laughter, as they knew that I was right.

Molokai

26th Feb 2008, 20:59

Well, if there is a tip off or if one gets profiled then the Immigration and Customs in HNL can get pretty nasty too. However no overt or outwardly racist profiling is allowed.

Metro man

27th Feb 2008, 01:36

Arrive in Australia, sit in the chair and have electrodes attached to your head so they can examine your thoughts. After all you are bringing them in with you. Coming as soon as the technology is available. :E

Pity they aren't as nice in real life as they are on Border Security (Aussie TV program).

Dixi Normus

27th Feb 2008, 03:24

Are straight porn illegal in Aus?? Are the custom guys banning the importing of porn on moral grounds or are they protecting the local porn indurtry?? The crew hotel must be doing good business now selling the local movies.

iMad

27th Feb 2008, 15:47

Its one thing protecting your borders and stopping illegal contrabands from entering the country, but its another thing being rude and insulting to VISITORS of your country.

Can't they do their job but at the same time be courteous and inviting befitting a developed nation? Be as aggressive as you want AFTER you've found ILLEGAL items, stop bloody treating everyone like they're criminals from the get go.

Australian Customs are doing their country a disservice if they continue to act like this.

Marsh Outlaws

27th Feb 2008, 21:50

Akali; I suspect you might have been quite aggrieved and spiced up the incident quite a bit. I seriously doubt the Oz customs officers dare berate you in that manner in full view of othe pax. Not that we should excuse any overly high handed inspection of crew baggage, but I think there wasn't any overt racist remark directed at you.

Skystar320

27th Feb 2008, 22:17

Anal Retentive Ozz customs

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After a long overnight flight into Syd, I had an exasperating experience with a customs officer. My skin colour must have something to do with it. I had declared some prescription medicine; in the full open view I was berated loudly for bringing in " drugs ". I told the officer, " sir, not DRUGS, only my medicine ". " WHAT medicine, WHY DO YOU NEED MEDICINE? ARE YOU SICK, YOU KNOW IF YOU ARE SICK YOU CANNOT FLY..YOU ARE DANGEROUS, YOU WILL KILL PEOPLE " came to reply. Wow! What a spectacle, a whole group of memsahibs glared at me, some covering their mouths in gasps.

I wearily explained as I had written " prescription medicine " for cholesterol control and betaloc for elevated high pressure. I surely needed my betaloc then dealing with such an ass. He called for two other officers who came and search through my bags, looked over my medicine. In the ever loud voice ( louder than Bollywood movie dialogue! ), he demanded if the medicine has my name and doctor's name. I replied only my name and that of the pharmacy, but no doctor's name. Then they found issue that my name had faded from the name label, so didn't match exactly with my passport and ID. " WAS IT SOME OTHER FAMILY MEMBER"S? WHY DO YOU NEED IT? PILOTS DO NOT TAKE MEDICINE? ARE YOU SURE IT"S BETALOC IN THE TABS", they bellowed. I was then asked if I had a letter from my doctor, I said no and asked them why not check with the Airport doctor if they thought that pilots are not allowed betaloc. " WE ASK THE QUESTIONS HERE, WE WILL DO THE NECESSARY, YOU JUST ANSWER OUR QUESTIONS!!"
Then they took me to my room, emptied all my stuff onto a table, comb through my stuff and then ordered me to repack my things. After a long while whislt they chit chatted, they " ADVISE ME " to have clear labels, doctor's name and type of prescription ( not brand names like zocor, betaloc ). I was let off with nary an apology or thank you for my cooperation.

In detention room were other Asian/Oriental pax subjected to humiliating searches; junkie looking caucasians amongst our pax were just waved off politely outside. I am not saying that they should be targetted, but if random checks are the norm why the disparity in ethnic composition of those searched?

It makes a good read - you should get your ficton book published as this is a load of :mad::mad::mad::mad:
They are doing the job that they get paid for, it doesnt matter who ever walks through the door everyone is treated the same - I doubt that this ever happened in the tone you are mentioning

slapfaan - seriously man what is your problem

Akali Dal

29th Feb 2008, 21:47

Gnadenburg

1st Mar 2008, 00:13

Now I am even more aggrieved than ever. Posted something to share with anyone with unfortunate enough to experience such disservice from idiots of the first order and we have some fair dickum apologists calling me a liar.
Well, as someone said what goes around comes around. It will probably hold true to some miscreants down south.

You are just pissed off with the cricket mate.

You blokes have been cheating for years BTW. Between yourselves and the Pakistanis you made it an art form. :}

Akali Dal

1st Mar 2008, 04:22

Jan Torpedo reportedly tested positive for dope; Sharne Warne a junkie. False, just words?

404 Titan

1st Mar 2008, 05:55

Akali Dal

You might want to do a little more research sunshine on Thorpe’s case before mouthing off on a public forum. Someone might just throw a law suite in your lap. If you think you really are anonymous on this forum, think again? You're not.:mad:

Skystar320

1st Mar 2008, 09:42

Akali Dal

Well YOUR post title says: Anal Retentive Ozz customs

and describe them as

In the ever loud voice ( louder than Bollywood movie dialogue! ),
then dealing with such an ass

Your wording in BLOCK LETTERS, and the manerism you have written is absurd.

And to say the following:

Jan Torpedo reportedly tested positive for dope; Sharne Warne a junkie. False, just words?

Well if you want a law suite in your lap your going very nicely for it........... Its never been proven.

Seems like you have a problem with Australia? Did your application for residence get knocked back? oh dear :zzz::zzz::zzz::zzz::zzz:

Take two headache tablets and go sleep on it, as you seriously have a problem!

Gnadenburg

1st Mar 2008, 10:21

Every time I sit down to dinner in Australia, the phone rings from India.

Is it just Australia? Or does everyone else around the First World get a call from India too?

And I don't know what your beef is. Many of our diligent custom officers are former impoverished Indian immigrants.

kuntakinte

1st Mar 2008, 18:12

Akali, it took them for ever to squeak in a little " sorry " for the way they treated their native aboriginals.......these bigots will try everything they can to intimidate and browbeat you. So through echelon can find out too.
They said India and Pakistan had been cheating for years. Wow! They caught your countrymen redhanded, huh? The Pakistanis were demonised and put through hell in the death of their coach saga...no apologies from their ilk.

mohdawang

1st Mar 2008, 18:28

Torpe was indeed reported to be positive in some dope test......Akali, try googling and get those reports.

ACMS

1st Mar 2008, 23:05

BORING....................you Guys are displaying the equivalent of Penile envy.

Australian envy.

Why don't you just get back to the nice suburbs of Jakarta and Mumbai and stop writing drivel in here.

If you want to live in Oz then get into line.

Busbert

1st Mar 2008, 23:18

ACMS

1st Mar 2008, 23:38

What utter drivel you write.

thank god you stay away.

We have enough there already thanks.

Gnadenburg

2nd Mar 2008, 00:25

Think of dealing with Aussie customs as an initiation test for the rest of your stay in that godforsaken desert island of red-necks.

It's like Alabama has been floated off into the South Pacific.

Yawn!

Pakistani and Indian immigrants are number three and four on our immigration numbers.

We provided billions- privately and through government- for tsunami relief in a neglected part of Indonesia.

We have thrown billions ( and will continue to ) at the plight of indigenous Australians. An issue that will take generations to improve despite the best efforts- what are Indians doing for the hundreds of millions of their impoverished countrymen? Maintaining a caste system.

An isolated country. But far from the institutionalised racism that runs from the sub-continent, west or east.

Join the queue. But not if you are into kiddy porn. First world nations go to extraordinary efforts to police these offenses.In the practical belief we are protecting exploited children of the third world.

4PW's

2nd Mar 2008, 07:58

Porn is illegal.

Try importing it into Saudi Arabia.

And if you need advice on what is and is not legal for importation into Oz, check the AQIS or Customs websites. It's a quick link away, full of information, and they'll even email you back an answer to your questions.

'I wanna do this cause I can in my country' doesn't seem to be holding water in Oz anymore.

But don't let that stop the abusive posts...

We need more of you to tell us how to run the country.

You're doing such a great job running your own...:E

Marsh Outlaws

2nd Mar 2008, 23:12

Good Lord, we have porn, anal customs, cricket, swimmers all lumped into this! Akali was probably peeved because he was not treated like a Captain Raja when inspected in his full battle regalia. Well customs guys the world over are the most unfriendly, difficult and anal guys around...maybe that the nature of their job. If so they need a paradigm shift in their approach, improve their people skills!
Ian Thorpe was outed by some French papers as having tested positive but NEVER proven...so give this a rest. Going all out to sue Akali, I think not. He had enough of media attention. Shane Warne? We all know..well old news.

YPJT

3rd Mar 2008, 07:42

Akali Dal, don't take this the wrong way mate but P1ss off and don't come back (To Australia that is). I've passed through Oz customs plenty of times over the past few years and found them all to be professional and polite. They do know how to spot a w@nker though, hence your alleged problem.

I've had the unfortunate experience of having to work with some of your fellow countrymen previously. A bit of authority and you expect everyone to kneel and kiss your feet. Might work where you come from sport. Here, you're no better than the bloke waiting outside the terminal at the wheel of a cab.

&&&

3rd Mar 2008, 22:41

Problem is that customs are used to the "indian not in the gutter syndrome". They have a reputation that since they are not a dalit they think they are superior when in fact they are ...indian.
P.S. What exactly ARE those nuclear weapons protecting?

OKhalsa

4th Mar 2008, 21:10

Bigots from that ex penal colony...lay off Akali. He posted on the HK Fagrant forum, not in your domain the D&G forum. The world over know of those anals at the arse end of the world!
BTW, Akali your fellow khalsa Dhoni, Tendulkar and team just trash Ricky Pont's. Bravo!

superfrozo

4th Mar 2008, 22:49

At the risk of bringing this thread back to some sort relevance, I have to agree with many of the posters here with respect to the "suspect intelligence" of some of the folks in Oz customs uniforms.

On a recent trip from Oz to return to our fragrant harbour,my wife had the misfortune of meeting a true troglodyte. Due to an unexplained (& prolonged!) absence of Vegemite on HK shelves, she bought a jar at the last minute and placed it in carry on baggage. As you can guess, said troglodyte made a song and dance at the checkpoint about not bringing in "liquids" over 100ml - the jar was 300ml. (Those unfamiliar with our national food icon should understand that this stuff has a consistency not unlike peanut butter.)

She opened the jar and tipped it upside down to demonstrate it's non-liquid properties, trogolodyte still unmoved. Even after scooping out a fingerful and eating it, the Mensa member in blue was unable to step outside that very small box they were obviously trained to remain in.

Knowing better than to push the point with the heroes, my wife threw the jar in the bin and walked on. Once through customs, you guessed it - she went into a duty free store and bought three 100ml jars of Vegemite!!

I shudder to think what these guys are paid, but unfortunately, for some of them it is clearly too much!:hmm: