Job Discussion Forums

vanVlaanderen · Joined: 03 May 2009 Posts: 21

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.

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2010 4:11 pm Post subject:

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

vanVlaanderen · Joined: 03 May 2009 Posts: 21

Do you have any idea why they singled you out?

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2010 4:31 pm Post subject:

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...

NCTBA

vanVlaanderen · Joined: 03 May 2009 Posts: 21

I've been advised to transfer films to an external hard drive but aren't they likely to confiscate the portable hard drive?

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2010 8:13 pm Post subject:

PastorYoon · Joined: 29 Jul 2010 Posts: 19

That would be crazy if they took my files (pictures, videos of my family)!

PastorYoon · Joined: 29 Jul 2010 Posts: 19

Sheikh N Bake · Joined: 26 Apr 2007 Posts: 1307 Location: Dis ting of ours

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.

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2010 2:24 pm Post subject:

Er...check out my poor desktop mentioned above... Crying or Very sad

NCTBA