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vanVlaanderen
Joined: 03 May 2009
Posts: 21
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 Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2010 4:06 pm Post subject: laptops / DVDs / books entering KSA |
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| I've downloaded some films, mostly older classics, to an INTERNAL hard drive of my laptop. Would it be better to transfer this to an EXTERNAL hard drive? Also I have books, all classics. I assume that the worst is that they could be confiscated? What about DVDs? Too risky to take? I've read other posts on some of my questions and answers seem to be that laptops are seldom checked but does anyone know of anyone who has had his laptop taken? Any advice would be appreciated. |
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Never Ceased To Be Amazed
Joined: 22 Oct 2004
Posts: 3500
Location: Shhh...don't talk to me...I'm playin' dead...
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| Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2010 4:11 pm Post subject: |
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I had a desktop seized and examined for a few weeks at the Jeddah AP, but as far as I can tell, I'm the "lucky" only one that I've heard of...
NCTBA |
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vanVlaanderen
Joined: 03 May 2009
Posts: 21
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| Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2010 4:18 pm Post subject: |
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| Do you have any idea why they singled you out? |
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Never Ceased To Be Amazed
Joined: 22 Oct 2004
Posts: 3500
Location: Shhh...don't talk to me...I'm playin' dead...
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| Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2010 4:31 pm Post subject: |
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It's been a while back, but I jes' chalked it up to a power trip by the customs agent. The bad consequence to the experience was that they cracked the case on dismantling it and it didn't last very long in the dusty environment of the desert.
In saudi, sometimes, it's jes' better to let things go...
I wouldn't worry if i were you, however, I would NEVER take anything in or out unless on an encrypted drive...and have conveniently forgotten the password...
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vanVlaanderen
Joined: 03 May 2009
Posts: 21
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| Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2010 6:09 pm Post subject: |
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| I've been advised to transfer films to an external hard drive but aren't they likely to confiscate the portable hard drive? |
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Never Ceased To Be Amazed
Joined: 22 Oct 2004
Posts: 3500
Location: Shhh...don't talk to me...I'm playin' dead...
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| Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2010 8:13 pm Post subject: |
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| vanVlaanderen wrote: |
| I've been advised to transfer films to an external hard drive but aren't they likely to confiscate the portable hard drive? |
Understand...ANYWHERE in that part of the world, they can take ANYTHING and not HAVE TO give you a reason! It is their sandbox and they can make up any excuse they like and get away with it.
If you protest, they can lock you in a room for as many hours as the offended party takes to have his jollies gotten...
NCTBA |
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PastorYoon
Joined: 29 Jul 2010
Posts: 19
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| Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2010 3:43 am Post subject: |
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| That would be crazy if they took my files (pictures, videos of my family)! |
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PastorYoon
Joined: 29 Jul 2010
Posts: 19
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| Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2010 3:43 am Post subject: Re: laptops / DVDs / books entering KSA |
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| vanVlaanderen wrote: |
| I've downloaded some films, mostly older classics, to an INTERNAL hard drive of my laptop. Would it be better to transfer this to an EXTERNAL hard drive? Also I have books, all classics. I assume that the worst is that they could be confiscated? What about DVDs? Too risky to take? I've read other posts on some of my questions and answers seem to be that laptops are seldom checked but does anyone know of anyone who has had his laptop taken? Any advice would be appreciated. |
Good question. Clearly I will be bringing my laptop, too. |
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Sheikh N Bake
Joined: 26 Apr 2007
Posts: 1307
Location: Dis ting of ours
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| Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2010 9:39 am Post subject: |
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I wouldn't worry too much. I've been carrying computers, VHS tapes and up to four CD-carrying cases with up to 150 DVDs at a time into both the Emriates and KSA for 15 years. Never had a problem. My first trip over to Dubai in 1997 I had a whole suitcase full of VHS tapes which the authorities took for a week or 10 days to view randomly for forbidden scenes and prompylt returned to me when I stopped by. Nowadays with DVDs ...they are much less conspicuous. The latest technology is just to transfer movie files onto external hardrives including an innocuous-looking 32-GB flash drive.
I know of just one person with one bad incident--some years ago they took his laptop to check the hard drive for forbidden material.He didn't have any "bad" stuff on it, but they ruined the computer case when they opened it. |
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Never Ceased To Be Amazed
Joined: 22 Oct 2004
Posts: 3500
Location: Shhh...don't talk to me...I'm playin' dead...
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| Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2010 2:24 pm Post subject: |
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Er...check out my poor desktop mentioned above... 
NCTBA |
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lennon146
Joined: 03 Nov 2004
Posts: 55
Location: Latin America
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| Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2010 10:15 am Post subject: |
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| Huh?! What counts as "forbidden" material? |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2010 2:10 pm Post subject: |
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| Never Ceased To Be Amazed wrote: |
Er...check out my poor desktop mentioned above...
NCTBA |
Yes, but with all our posters, you are the only one who had a problem with them taking a computer. While we have dozens and dozens of posters who have passed through here... and passed through Saudi customs with laptops over the years... who haven't had any problems.
So, it comes down to... customs agents even in the US can do any danged thing they want (and I hear that laptops ARE being grabbed by US customs from overseas traveler... though as yet, no one that I know). If I were still traveling abroad with mine, I would look into using one of those online companies where you can store a complete back-up of your whole hard drive. The catch is probably that you can't download it from Saudi, but you could retrieve all your files once you leave again. (I would also have a flash with my most important files to quickly download to a new computer)
After all, laptops can be stolen in airports along the way too...
VS |
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sheikher
Joined: 13 Jul 2009
Posts: 291
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| Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2010 3:40 pm Post subject: |
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And, for whatever it's worth, the Queen advises:
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/middle-east-north-africa/saudi-arabia
Saudi Arabian Customs officials have authority to screen all electronic devices (laptops, mobile phones, PDAs etc) entering or leaving Saudi Arabia. If requested, all passengers will be submitted to a thorough verification and inspection at international airports. Anyone found to be carrying pirated or explicit materials will have their equipment confiscated. Refusal to comply with this rule will result in detention and/or deportation. |
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Never Ceased To Be Amazed
Joined: 22 Oct 2004
Posts: 3500
Location: Shhh...don't talk to me...I'm playin' dead...
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| Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2010 3:50 pm Post subject: |
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| veiledsentiments wrote: |
| Never Ceased To Be Amazed wrote: |
Er...check out my poor desktop mentioned above...
NCTBA |
Yes, but with all our posters, you are the only one who had a problem with them taking a computer. VS |
Yes, and if it hadn't happened to me, then I'd highly doubt my own post and wouldn't blame you for doubting me as well. It may have been because I worked for Raytheon, but this was a first for the HR guy as well.
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2010 2:30 am Post subject: |
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I'm not doubting you at all my friend... I'm just saying that of the... what... thousands of teachers who have gone through in the last ten years? ...you are the only person who has had an issue. (or at least the only one who has come here and told us.)
So... personally... I wouldn't worry about taking in a laptop... though I would do what I said in my previous post and have good back-up.
I guess you just must be a really suspicious looking fellow. 
VS |
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