And I think you're missing my point - the author essentially accused the airline droid of arbitrarily and capriciously confiscating his lighter. I say nay, that the droid was only following the publicly stated policies of his/her employer, said policies being available for the author's perusal as well.
It might be interesting to follow the paperwork trail and demand that the airline show where and how the lighters were destroyed, if indeed they were. If the author could do this and show that the droid was lying to him and pocketed the lighter him/herself, then I think he has a valid point. Otherwise, as they say on Perry Mason, "The burden of proof is on the accuser."