British tourists may face ‘lie detector’ tests when trying to enter EU

The new biometric recognition system operating at Barcelona Airport - David Zorrakino/Europa Press via Getty

British holidaymakers could soon face “lie detector” tests when entering European Union countries – with artificial intelligence software set to flag any suspicious tourists to immigration officers.

Checks are reportedly set to come into force at airports and ferry terminals as the EU tightens borders post-Brexit.

Artificial intelligence software which analyses facial movements and body gestures as passengers fill in application forms have already been trialled, according to The Mail on Sunday.

If the technology picks up signs of deceit or suspicious activity, then an immigration officer would be alerted to the holidaymaker’s file.

According to the newspaper, the scheme could be phased in after an initial entry-exit system (EES) scheme is implemented, along with a visa-waiver scheme called the European travel information and authorisation system (ETIAS) for short stays of up to 90 days.

ETIAS documents will cost €7 (approximately £6) and the EES is set to be implicated for British travellers from Oct 6.

The innovative facial biometric recognition tool may soon be beefed up with AI checking if you are lying - Juancho Torres/Anadolu Agency via Getty

Patrick Breyer, a German MEP, dismissed the “lie detector” test as “pseudoscience”, arguing that it was not possible to deem someone as a liar from their facial expressions and gestures alone.

He told the newspaper: “It will discriminate against anyone who is disabled or who has an anxious personality. It will not work.”

The Mail on Sunday reports that plans are in place for the software to be incorporated into both the EES and ETIAS in order to improve operational capacity.

It is a scheme which has already undergone successful trials, known as iBorderCtrl and Trespass – despite being criticised by civil rights groups.

Currently, British citizens can stay up to 90 days in the EU from when they have their passports stamped at borders.

Yet in October, travellers will have biometric data – including facial images and fingerprints - collected from the first time they visit Europe and then every three years subsequently.

ETIAS will then be introduced for short stays of up to 90 days from the middle of next year.

British holidaymakers will have to apply online for ETIAS at least a month before travel, in a similar scheme to the US ESTA visa waiver.

If the AI software is introduced into the schemes, holidaymakers could be interviewed online by an avatar immigration officer, who will quiz travellers on their name, date of birth and reason for travel.

The technology will examine eye movements, body language and facial expressions to determine if the interviewee is telling the truth.

Personal data of applicants will then be checked against databases that include details of terrorists, criminals and illegal immigrants.

During one pilot, an applicant’s social media accounts were also checked – raising concerns political comments on platforms such as X could be considered.

The iBorderCtrl trial, carried out in Greece, Hungary and Latvia between 2016 and 2019, used avatars to interview participants and monitor their expressions.

Meanwhile, the Trespass pilot – which was tested until November 2021 – saw facial expressions, gestures and body postures analysed to see if a “traveller is telling the truth”, according to official papers.

Border agencies are not banned from using such software under the Artificial Intelligence Act.

The EU is creating a database, known as the common identity repository, which holds 300 million records of people – including terrorists and criminals.

The Mail on Sunday reports that all British citizens entering the EU will have their data stored in this way.

The Telegraph has contacted EU-LISA, the body that oversees border and security IT infrastructure, for comment.

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