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by spikepuppet 1704 days ago
As an Australian, I can definitely say I'm not complacent. The rise of all this surveillance here certainly unnerves me, and has definitely helped hasten my want to emmigrate ASAP.
2 comments

This is unfortunate. I immigrated to Australia 10 years ago, and when I arrived, I was shocked by the level of acceptance of surveillance and even the police rights to search.

I'm not an Australian citizen, but I make sure the Australians I know are aware that it isn't like this everywhere around the world.

If you don't like it, it's better to try to change it or bring awareness than just leave.

> I was shocked by the level of acceptance of surveillance and even the police rights to search

It's not even just the police - the goons on the doors of JB Hi-Fi will demand to root through your bags on your way out of the shop. Nobody even seems to question it.

Yup, that's why I stopped buying from any store that does that, which forced many of my purchases online.

It's why I like the story of how Fry's Electronics, which had a similar practice in the US, was taken for $65M by one of their executives. They were guarding every penny and treating every customer like a thief while one of their own walked out the back door with millions. https://www.seattletimes.com/business/frys-electronics-execu...

To be fair this policy is usually stated as a condition of entry, which I believe is fair for a private company.
Honestly, at this stage it feels like a losing battle. I try and raise awareness amongst friends and people I can talk too, and no one seems to care. It's making leaving seem more and more a viable option.
You would immigrate to where exactly?
Good point, though anywhere where a powers haven't been given to law enforcement agencies to modify data would be good. And even more so and people are happy to just let it happen.
I have come to a similar conclusion. Where the fuck am I supposed to go? Everywhere has problems, shit laws, and social issues.
I don't mean to offend you but this is very funny. Immigrants from 3rd world countries are often told "why don't you stay at home and fix your own country?" Well, I guess we've come full circle, it's bad everywhere.
No I agree with you, i take no offence. I see the irony here completely. Especially given Australia's absolutely draconian laws and treatment of asylum seekers.