EU border lie detector system criticised as pseudoscience

BELGIUM The EU has been accused of promoting pseudoscience after announcing plans for a “smart liedetection system” at its busiest borders in an attempt to identify illegal migrants.

The “lie detector”, to be trialled in Hungary, Greece and Latvia, involves the use of a computer animation of a border guard, personalised to the traveller’s gender, ethnicity and language, asking questions via a webcam. The “deception detection” system will analyse the micro expressions of those seeking to enter EU territory to see if they are being truthful about their personal background and intentions. Those arriving at the border will be required to have uploaded pictures of their passport, visa and proof of funds. According to an article published by the European commission, the “unique approach to ‘deception detection’ analyses the microexpressions of travellers to figure out if the interviewee is lying”. The system will collect data that will move beyond biometrics and on to biomarkers of deceit.” Travellers who have been flagged as low risk by the avatar, and its lie detector, will go through a short reevaluation of their information for entry. Those judged to be of higher risk will undergo a more detailed check.

Border officials will use a handheld device to automatically crosscheck information, comparing the facial images captured during the prescreening stage to passports and photos taken on previous border crossings. When documents have been reassessed, and fingerprinting, palmvein scanning and face matching have been carried out, the potential risk will be recalculated. A border guard will then take over from the automated system. The project, which has received 4.5 million euro in EU funding, has been heavily criticized by experts.

(The Gaurdian)