Cargo scanning?

[Aewarin Jameson]

No it's really not. Your backpack or purse would contain personal use items only. Your cargo bays contain commodities that you are trading from station to station.

That is true - however what you are trading is no one else's business but your own.

The system authorities scan you to ensure you are not doing anything illegal.

Players should only be able to scan you to see what you are carrying if it's used as a tool to see if you are worth robbing. IE: A piracy tool (Only valid reason to scan someone IMO) It should then be treated like pulling someone out of supercruise - a criminal act as it's usually a precursor to violence.

Players acting "cop" by scanning players to see if they are carrying illegal cargo wasn't part of the design (IIRC based on DDF involvement)

 

[CravenTHC]

Actually, they are all SCBs.

Then those will show up. That was precisely my point. If all available internal slots, given the person observing has knowledge of how many are available on each ship, are taken up by a listed module then you know they have no cargo racks. If there are some missing modules on the list then you can then assume that cargo is a possibility.

I have no problem with how the module functions. I have a problem with people using them on me.

Again. The module itself does not require your permission to perform it's function. Current laws do not prohibit the use of any scanner on a clean target, and you have failed miserably to present a coherent case for changing this particular part of the law. Give any reason other than the slight inconvenience you have to deal with when the game notifies you that a scan is detected. Note that we disagree on the state of privacy of your cargo so that is not a valid reason to anybody but you as of this post. (Written prior to the previous post being visible)

That is true - however what you are trading is no one else's business but your own.

The system authorities scan you to ensure you are not doing anything illegal.

Players should only be able to scan you to see what you are carrying if it's used as a tool to see if you are worth robbing. IE: A piracy tool (Only valid reason to scan someone IMO) It should then be treated like pulling someone out of supercruise - a criminal act as it's usually a precursor to violence.

Players acting "cop" by scanning players to see if they are carrying illegal cargo wasn't part of the design (IIRC based on DDF involvement)

As I've already stated, I'm perfectly fine with the idea of removing the availability of the cargo scanner module from civilian stations in systems other than anarchy. If this function was not intended then it should be restricted to pirates and authority vessels. Which means you would have to find an anarchy station with outfitting available in order to purchase a cargo scanner. That would certainly cut down on the number of commanders who are using them just to inconvenience a few smugglers in open play.

What you are trading is my business if I support a faction in the system you happen to find yourself in. Especially if it's a faction that owns a station other than the one you're currently at. It is also not private information.

 

[Morbad]

It should (IMO) be treated like pulling someone out of supercruise - a criminal act as it's usually a precursor to violence.

I agree and I think the interdiction analogy is an excellent one. Interdiction is also something that was potentially harmful and annoying that used to harass people with limited consequences. I was interdicted much more frequently before it was made illegal, to the dismay of several CMDRs who wanted to be jerks in the process of "saying hi" or "testing their interdictor".

There are only three reasons to cargo scan someone:

1. To get them fined from relative safety.
2. To see if they have anything you want to steal.
3. To enforce a blockade.

The last two acts are almost certainly going to involve crimes.

 

[Morbad]

Then those will show up.

SCBs don't show up on the module list anymore.

Current laws do not prohibit the use of any scanner on a clean target, and you have failed miserably to present a coherent case for changing this particular part of the law.

As has been mentioned, and what should be self evident to everyone, cargo scanning is either a prelude to an attack or an attempt to cost someone money with little risk to one's self. The former is akin to interdiction, and the latter is akin to station ramming.

As I've already stated, I'm perfectly fine with the idea of removing the availability of the cargo scanner module from civilian stations in systems other than anarchy.

I'm not.

If this function was not intended then it should be restricted to pirates and authority vessels.

No one ever suggested the function wasn't intended.

That would certainly cut down on the number of commanders who are using them just to inconvenience a few smugglers in open play.

No it wouldn't.

 

[Aewarin Jameson]

What you are trading is my business if I support a faction in the system you happen to find yourself in. Especially if it's a faction that owns a station other than the one you're currently at. It is also not private information.

I do not agree with you.

Each system outlines what is legal and illegal to trade in when visiting the star system.

System authorities are there to enforce this decision, not you.

My faction standing in a particular system has nothing to do with you as currently we can't align ourselves to one.

My reasons for visiting a station are none of your business even if you do proclaim it as your home. (It's not something that is enforced in game right now so that proclamation is meaningless) You can attempt to force people out of the system but as it stands that is a criminal act.

If FD change things so that you can align yourself to a faction (and I suspect 1.3 PP will allow you to do that) then it becomes important but until then I am free to trade any and all legal goods at any star system of my choice.

Scanning my hold is an invasion of privacy as you have no legal reason to do so. (By legal I mean in-game)


Edit to add:

There are only three reasons to cargo scan someone:

1. To get them fined from relative safety.
2. To see if they have anything you want to steal.
3. To enforce a blockade.

The last two acts are almost certainly going to involve crimes.

I concur, though enforcing a blockade at the moment is a player driven initiative and is currently illegal. (Shooting or killing a clean commander)

The only other time I can think of where you would need a cargo scanner would be for missions but again they are issued with a pirate symbol and give the warning that "cargo must be stolen" - ie an illegal act.

 

[chagnampra]

I just like being nosey...

 

[CravenTHC]

SCBs don't show up on the module list anymore.

I was not aware of this. So it could be either cargo racks or SCBs. If it's limited to these two modules then I would suggest it's worth the risk.

As has been mentioned, and what should be self evident to everyone, cargo scanning is either a prelude to an attack or an attempt to cost someone money with little risk to one's self. The former is akin to interdiction, and the latter is akin to station ramming.

Station ramming is griefing since it leaves the ramee with an insurance bill in what is supposed to be a protected space. A player pretending he's system authority is a valid play style for RP purposes.

I'm not.

Then you are demonstrably against compromise.

No one ever suggested the function wasn't intended.

Yes, Liqua did. "Players acting "cop" by scanning players to see if they are carrying illegal cargo wasn't part of the design (IIRC based on DDF involvement)"

No it wouldn't.

Sure, limiting this particular module to the relatively few anarchy systems still out there obviously wouldn't cut down on the cargo fine abuse. All of these same commanders would gladly go way out of their way to find these modules just to inconvenience a few smugglers. If that actually did happen then it's more of an inconvenience for that player considering travel time, lost income, and travel cost.

I do not agree with you.

Each system outlines what is legal and illegal to trade in when visiting the star system.

Yet every station in the game sells Limpet drones. Even ones that list them as illegal cargo.

System authorities are there to enforce this decision, not you.

Then the gameplay mechanics should reflect that. Imposing a fine for scanning commanders is not the way to curtail this activity.

My faction standing in a particular system has nothing to do with you as currently we can't align ourselves to one.

That means nothing to a role play enthusiast.

My reasons for visiting a station are none of your business even if you do proclaim it as your home. (It's not something that is enforced in game right now so that proclamation is meaningless) You can attempt to force people out of the system but as it stands that is a criminal act.

...or you can make it inconvenient to trade in that system by reducing profits or costing commanders credits by acting as authority vessels.

If FD change things so that you can align yourself to a faction (and I suspect 1.3 PP will allow you to do that) then it becomes important but until then I am free to trade any and all legal goods at any star system of my choice.

You're absolutely right, and any other commander is perfectly free to scan your cargo so that you incur a fine.

Scanning my hold is an invasion of privacy as you have no legal reason to do so. (By legal I mean in-game)

Since we're talking in-game, please refer me to the system law or section of the game handbook that states this is an invasion of privacy. As it stands now scanning someone is a perfectly legal action anywhere in the galaxy.

 

[Agarthan]

There should at least be an option to disable reporting illegal cargo. I just like to peek sometimes...

You can turn off auto report of crimes in the systems interface. I presume this would include if you scan illegal cargo?

- - - Updated - - -

I just like being nosey...
http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/ag105/Chagnampra/Mobile Uploads/image_zps5uhzsfjg.jpg

Mi lord, It is of great imperative that I investigate your bum, sir.

 

[Drelthar]

Wake scanners need to work in Super cruise, then you could scan people with dodgy cargo, then follow them out of the system and chase them down for being terrible people.

 

[Petersen]

Scanning my hold is an invasion of privacy as you have no legal reason to do so. (By legal I mean in-game)

So where did you earn your doctorate in interstellar law?