Why are data caches illegal? (AKA what's a returning explorer to do?)

[kalniel]

So here I am, collecting the unfinished work of unfortunate explorers who have met their fate in the void and ensuring their demise was not in vain.. but my ship tells me these caches are illegal and I face fines if detected carrying them.

Then I hear on the deep space radio network that it's recommended non-combat pilots like myself stick to high security space to return the threat of destruction by less-savoury elements of our galaxy who have recently become more skilled than they were previously.

Surely these high-security systems are also ones I'm more likely to be fined in for carrying data caches?

[ooc: the game is sending mixed messages - and largely seems to be discouraging us to pick up data caches in non-combat ships. When returning from an exploration trip should I make sure I'm not carrying any in order to get to a system to sell exploration data as painlessly as possible? I picked up Horizons while out in the void too - how hard is it to get to somewhere to get a MA and visit the engineer for a newbie? I'm a little scared of burning on entry in my first planetary landing!]

 

[marx]

Yes, it's rather weird that the data caches salvaged from deep space wrecks are flagged as stolen. Personally, I'd much rather said wrecks gave materials instead. Also, let's not forget that carrying valuable cargo (in this case, the large caches) will makes pirates much more likely to interdict you. So even though you could go to a lawless anarchy system to sell it, you'd run a high risk of getting attacked by pirates.
Also, in those high-security systems, if pirates attack you police tend to arrive at the scene rather quickly. However, they'll also scan you.
So yeah, like you said the game is sending mixed messages, and scooping those caches up is simply a bad idea.

 

[Zephyriel]

Shoudln't data caches be actual data in the first place? Which once acquired shouldn't use cargo space or be susceptible to cargo scans...

 

[Jackie Silver]

And their value had been greatly reduced last time I looked. Once a large data cache was worth over 100k, now they're worth peanuts. A very silly change; their value should have been increased if anything, because you need serious incentive to pay the jump-range penalty of hauling one back to the Bubble.

Though I suppose people would find some way to abuse the mechanic unless it was cleverly implemented.

 

[kalniel]

And their value had been greatly reduced last time I looked. Once a large data cache was worth over 100k, now they're worth peanuts.

Really? Right, I'm venting mine immediately. (er I mean my commander has now heard the data is meaningless so won't be bothering to sacrifice jump range for it.)