Brit holiday warning as tourists flying to Europe could face ‘lie detector’ test carried out by artificial intelligence
HOLIDAYMAKERS have been warned they could be caught out by a ‘lie detector test’ before being allowed into Europe.
Artificial Intelligence could stand in the way of tourists hoping to reach their dream vacation destination.
As reported by The Mail on Sunday, the EU plan to strengthen border security following Brexit.
The successfully trialled AI software would be able to track passengers’ body and face movements inside airports while they fill out application forms.
If the system picks up a traveller acting strangely, a staff member would be alerted to carry out more checks.
But, experts have warned this technology could risk discrimination against those who have disabilities.
Patrick Breyer, a German MEP, said of the AI body language reader: “It will discriminate against anyone who is disabled or who has an anxious personality.
“It will not work.”
AI TRIALS
The software has been trialled twice successfully, as reported by The Mail on Sunday
The iBorderCtrl trial was conducted from 2016 to 2019 across Greece, Hungary and Latvia.
AI immigration officers were used to interview applicants and analyse their facial expressions.
Meanwhile, the TRESPASS trial was carried out until November 2021.
It tracked “facial expressions, gestures and body postures” to check if a “traveller is telling the truth”, according to documents seen by The Mail on Sunday.
The ‘lie detector tests’ could be installed after the first wave of Entry-Exit Systems (EES).
This is set to begin from October 6.
At the same time, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), is being introduced.
It is understood the new software will be integrated into both new systems.
The future for travelling Brits could even see an AI online immigration officer questioning them over their personal details and reason for travelling.
In one trial, the technology was even able to sift through holidaymakers’ social media.
The system will track and analyse their eyes, body and facial expressions.
Information will then be checked against a database of people blocked from travelling including terrorists.
This would all be permitted within the The Artificial Intelligence Act.
It comes as the EU is working on a 300million record strong mega database called the Common Identity Repository CIR – which will save data from all Brits entering the EU.
Meanwhile, concerns have also been raised over the new Entry/Exit system, EES.
It will mean that Brits heading to EU and Schengen countries will no longer have their passports stamped.
Instead, the system will check passengers’ names, biometric data and the place of entry and exit.
British travellers will have to provide fingerprints, as well as a facial biometrics before they arrive at the airport, ferry port or rail terminal from where they’re due to depart.
However, concerns have been raised about how long it will take for each and every passengers to be scanned in this way, with some authorities predicting an increase in processing times.
And, Brits will also eventually need to have a ‘visa-waiver’ to vacation in Europe called the European Travel Information and Authorisation System, ETIAS.
This visa only applies if visiting for less than 90 days – longer than this will require different visas.
It is similar to the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, ESTA, required to visit the US.
However, despite plans for this to be introduced next year, it has since been delayed to 2025.
The official website currently states: “The rules of travel to Europe have changed.
“Starting in mid-2025, some 1.4 billion people from over 60 visa-exempt countries are required to have a travel authorisation to enter most European countries.”
All change at UK airports
Major changes in the rules at UK airports are underway.
Airports in the UK are set to introduce new luggage scanners that will make it much easier for travellers, who will no longer have to remove liquids and laptops from their bags.
What’s more, they won’t be restricted to 100ml of liquids any more either, with the strict rules set to be scrapped with the introduction of the new equipment.
However, not every UK airport will meet the deadline that was originally put in place by the Department for Transport (DfT), with some of the biggest ones in the country lagging behind.
Travel trade association ABTA has warned anyone heading abroad during that time to stick to the current 100ml rules, saying that many overseas airports also don’t have the new scanners in place.
Meanwhile, these two items commonly cause problems for passengers at airport security.
And this airport security guard has revealed the mistakes that hold people up on the way to their departure gates.