iBorderCtrl project
6.11.2018
Question for written answer E-005624-18
to the Commission
Rule 130
Sophia in 't Veld (ALDE)
On 24 October, the Commission published an article on its website under the section ‘Success stories’ on the EU-funded iBorderCtrl project[1].
This project, which costs EUR 4.5 million, sets up a ‘smart lie-detection system’, which profiles travellers on the basis of a computer-automated interview taken by the traveller’s webcam before the trip, and an artificial-intelligence-based analysis of 38 microgestures. It sets out to detect illegal immigrants and to prevent crime and terrorism[2]. The project gave rise to a lot of criticism from civil society and experts[3].
1. Why does the Commission consider this system to be a ‘success story’?
2. Has the High-Level Expert Group on Artificial Intelligence given recommendations regarding ethical guidelines for this system and on its impact on applying the Charter? If not, why not?
3. Why does the Commission consider a trial of the automated lie-detection system on 34 people, with an accuracy rate of only 76%, to be a sufficient basis to start ‘trials’ of this system in Greece, Hungary and Latvia, where the fundamental rights of many border-crossing travellers will be violated?