Future Attribute Screening Technology: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Surveillance program}}

[[File:fast tsa screen.jpg|thumb|right|250px|FAST screenshot (blurred)]]

'''Future Attribute Screening Technology''' ('''FAST''')<ref>[{{Cite web|url=https://www.newscientist.com/blogs/shortsharpscience/2008/09/precrime-detector-is-showing-p.html|title='Pre-crime' detector shows promised|date=September 23, 2008|work=newscientist.com]|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090305074604/https://www.newscientist.com/blogs/shortsharpscience/2008/09/precrime-detector-is-showing-p.html|archivedate=2009-03-05}}</ref> is a program created by the [[Department of Homeland Security]]. It was originally titled [[Project Hostile Intent]]. The purpose is to detect "Mal Intent" by screening people for "psychological and physiological indicators"<ref name=natg/> in a "Mobile Screening Laboratory".<ref name=dtic/> FAST aims to detect and model the behavioral cues that indicate an individual's intent to do harm and/or deceive. The cues examined in FAST are those that can be assessed remotely and in real time, like pulse rate, sweating, restless behavior, and possibly brain scans. The procedures and technologies required to collect these cues are non-invasive (like surveillance cameras and body heat sensors) and amenable to integration into busy operational contexts, like airports.

== Background ==

[[File:Dhs-fast2.jpg|thumb|right|250px|DHS officials viewing a FAST prototype demonstration]]

[[File:Dhs-fast.png|thumb|450px|right|Artist's concept showing projected use of Future Attribute Screening Technology]]

The program was under the [[Homeland Security Advanced Research Agency]] and the [[Science & Technology Human Factors Behavior Science Division]] of DHS.<ref name=hstoday/> In a meeting held on July 24, 2008, the DHS Under Secretary Jay Cohen stated, the goal is to create a new technology that would be working in real time as opposed to after a crime is already committed.<ref>[{{Cite web|url=https://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/privacy/privacy_datamining_July24_2008_minutes.pdf |title=dhs.gov]}}</ref>

The DHS science spokesman John Verrico stated in September 2008 that preliminary testing had demonstrated 78% accuracy on mal-intent detection and 80% on deception.<ref>[{{Cite web|url=http://www.technovelgy.com/ct/Science-Fiction-News.asp?NewsNum=1891|title=Future Attribute Screening Technologies Precrime Detector: Science Fiction in the News|website=www.technovelgy.com]}}</ref> However, this was not a controlled, double-blind study, and researchers from Lawrence University and the Federation of American Scientists have questioned its validity without further evidence.<ref name=nature1/>

The system measures pulse rate, skin temperature, breathing, facial expression, body movement, pupil dilation, and other "psycho physiological/behavioral patterns" to stop "unknown terrorists". The technology would mostly be used at airports, borders, and special events.<ref name=siw/> Fox News reported that the mobile units transmit data to analysts, who use "a system to recognize, define and measure seven primary emotions and emotional cues that are reflected in contractions of facial muscles." The system is named [[MALINTENT]]. Results are transmitted back to screeners.<ref name=hstoday/><ref name=foxnews/>

DHS produced a 'privacy impact assessment' in 2008. It described the system as comprising:<ref name=dhs1/>

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*Anonymized aggregate results of the scanned information

The DHS plan on using cameras and sensors to measure and track the changes in a person's body language, the tone of their voice and the rhythm of their speech. Civil Liberties Groups raised privacy concerns about the project but Burns from the DHS claims “the"the technology would erase data after each screening, and no personal information would be used to identify subjects, create files, or make lists”lists". He reassured the public that regulations would be put in place to protect privacy if and when the technology is deployed.

== Organizations involved ==

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*[[Draper Lab]], Boston, MA<ref name=natg/>

**$2.6 million DHS contract in 2009<ref name=siw/>

*[[Navy Research Laboratory]] - working—working on a FAST related project<ref name=siw/>

==Controversy==

Other researchers, such as Tom Ormerod of the Investigative Expertise Unit at the UK's [[Lancaster University]], argue that ordinary travel anxieties could cause false positives - Ormerodpositives—Ormerod told ''[[Nature (journal)|Nature]]'' "even having an iris scan or fingerprint read at immigration is enough to raise the heart rate of most legitimate travellers".<ref name=nature1/> Others noted that the basic premise may be flawed. Steven Aftergood, a senior research analyst at the Federation of American Scientists, stated "I believe that the premise of this approach — thatapproach—that there is an identifiable physiological signature uniquely associated with malicious intent — isintent—is mistaken. To my knowledge, it has not been demonstrated." The ''Nature'' article in which he was quoted went on to note that AltergoodAftergood is concerned that the technology "will produce a large proportion of false positives, frequently tagging innocent people as potential terrorists and making the system unworkable in a busy airport."<ref name=nature1/>

Due to the ability of the system to 'read people's thoughts', it is potentially in violation of privacy laws such as the [[Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution|Fourth]] and [[Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution]]. A summary of the scientific and legal issues with the program was presented at [[DEF CON]] in 2011 by independent security researchers.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[DEF CON]] |title=DEF CON 19 Speakers |url=https://www.defcon.org/html/defcon-19/dc-19-speakers.html#Rezchikov |accessdate=2011-11-12}}</ref>

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== See also ==

*[[Backscatter X-ray]]

*Dr. [[Lawrence Farwell]]

*[[Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution]]

*Dr. [[Lawrence Farwell]]

*[[The Minority Report]]

*[[Thoughtcrime]]

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|publisher=securityinfowatch.com

|accessdate=September 21, 2011

|deadurlurl-status=yesdead

|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928210117/http://www.securityinfowatch.com/root+level/1289487

|archivedate=September 28, 2011

|df=

}}

</ref>

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</ref>

<ref name=batelle2>

{{cite web |url=http://www.input.com/corp/library/detail.cfm?ItemID=5878 |title=Battelle Memorial Institute Department of Homeland Security Contract # HSHQDC07C00087 |date= September 2007 |publisher=input.com |accessdate=May 2011 }}

</ref>

<ref name=natg>

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|publisher = National Geographic, Photo section #6

|accessdate = September 21, 2011

|deadurlurl-status = yesdead

|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20110412121420/http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/episode/hi-tech-war-on-terror-3934/Photos#tab-Photos/5

|archivedate = April 12, 2011

|df =

}}</ref>

<ref name=hstoday>

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</ref>

<ref name=dtic>

[https://web.archive.org/web/20120514025819/http://www.dtic.mil/ndia/2008hls/Breakouts/501BCMonday/TS15STStakeholdersConference_LosAngeles.pdf Office of Procurement Operations Science and Technology (S&T) Stakeholders Conference], January 14, 2008, Defense Technical Information Center, retr May 2011

</ref>

<ref name=dgmarket>

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</ref>

<ref name=foxnews>z

[httphttps://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,426485,00.htmlhomeland-security-detects-terrorist-threats-by-reading-your-mind Homeland Security Detects Terrorist Threats by Reading Your Mind], Allison Barrie, September 23, 2008, retr May 2011

</ref>

<ref name=nature1>

{{cite webjournal | url = http://www.nature.com/news/2011/110527/full/news.2011.323.html | title = Terrorist 'pre-crime' detector field tested in United States | author = Sharon Weinberger | journal = Nature | year = 2011 | doi = 10.1038/news.2011.323 | url-access = subscription }} May 27, 2011, nature.com, retr June 2011

</ref>

}}

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==External links==

*[https://www.dhs.gov/files/programs/gc_1218480185439.shtm#9 DHS] project site

*[http://vimeo.com/8166276 DHS public relations video on FAST], vimeo.com, retrretrieved May 2011

[[Category:United States Department of Homeland Security]]