It just stops it from working, doesn't damage it. The LED on it will just flash.
I had one just like it, I did look at the contacts before I soldered it and though they were a little close! Removed the shorts with a scalpel and it now works
It's not the movies or games downloads that I would worry about, like breaking into networks, downloading encrypted things, spying on network traffic. I have seen so many "Top Secret" seals on files when I was a kid
I was obsessed with finding UFOs, a surprising amount of US files where stashed on computers in other countries, China back in the early 90s omg sooo much