Outrage as British tourists going away to EU countries could face ‘lie detector’ test carried out by artificial intelligence before being granted entry

British tourists are facing a complex ‘lie detector’ test carried out by artificial intelligence before being allowed into Europe, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.

As the EU tightens its borders post-Brexit, new ‘Orwellian-style’ controls are being trialled. They analyze a person’s facial and body movements as they fill out their application form online or at an airport or ferry port.

And if the AI software deems that someone is lying or behaving suspiciously, their file is passed to an immigration officer, who can carry out further checks and refuse entry.

Experts warn that the scheme, which the EU is considering, could lead to widespread visa rejections, including discrimination against people with disabilities.

It is understood the scheme will be phased in after an initial Entry-Exit System (EES) – which will affect all UK travelers from October 6 – is implemented, along with a visa waiver scheme called the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). ) for short stays of up to 90 days. ETIAS costs seven euros (about £6).

As the EU tightens its borders post-Brexit, new ‘Orwellian-style’ controls have been trialled (stock image)

Experts warn that the scheme, which the EU is considering, could lead to widespread visa rejections, including discrimination against people with disabilities

It is understood the scheme will be phased in following an initial Entry-Exit System (EES) – which will affect all UK travelers from October 6

The plan is for the AI ​​software to be integrated into both systems to improve operational capabilities.

The plan, criticized by civil rights groups and politicians across Europe, has already undergone successful trials known as iBorderCtrl and TRESPASS.

Last night, Patrick Breyer, a German MP, dismissed the “lie detector test” as “pseudoscience” and said it is not possible to tell whether someone is lying from facial gestures. He added: ‘It will discriminate against anyone who is disabled or has an anxious personality. It will not work.’

Currently, British citizens traveling to the EU for a stay of up to 90 days have their passports stamped when entering an air, land or sea port.

But the EES will ensure that travelers collect their biometric data, including fingerprints and facial images, the first time they visit Europe, from October 6 and every three years thereafter.

From the middle of next year, ETIAS will be introduced for short stays of up to 90 days, with Brits required to apply online at least a month before departure, just as they do for a US ESTA visa waiver.

Ultimately, Britons could be interviewed online by an avatar immigration officer, who will ask questions such as their name, date of birth and purpose of travel (stock image of a thumbprint scanner)

People queue for the Eurostar train services at St Pancras International station as they take their Easter holidays in London, Great Britain, March 29, 2024

Border entrance to the United Kingdom at Heathrow Terminal 2 (archive photo)

Ultimately, Britons could be interviewed online by an avatar immigration officer, who will ask questions such as their name, date of birth and purpose of travel. During this video interview, AI examines their eye movements, facial expressions and body language to see if they are lying.

The personal details of everyone who applies are then checked against databases containing lists of terrorists, criminals, asylum seekers and illegal immigrants.

One pilot project even checked an applicant’s social media accounts before granting him or her access, raising concerns that political or controversial comments on X or Facebook could lead to someone being banned.

In the iBorderCtrl trial, conducted between 2016 and 2019 in Greece, Hungary and Latvia, avatars were used to interview applicants and monitor their expressions. Tested until November 2021, TRESPASS analyzed “facial expressions, gestures and body postures” to assess whether a “traveler is telling the truth,” according to official papers.

The Artificial Intelligence Act does not prohibit border agencies from using such technology.

The EU is also setting up a super database, the Common Identity Repository (CIR), which will hold 300 million people’s records, including terrorists and criminals. The data of all Britons who enter the EU end up in the CIR.

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