[pedalpete]

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.

[nickcox]

> 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.

[pedalpete]

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...

[selcuka]

To be fair this policy is usually stated as a condition of entry, which I believe is fair for a private company.

[spikepuppet]

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.