Mind reading scanner as a security measure in US
The Department of Homeland Security is currently testing a mind reading scanner, named ‘Malintent‘, which can supposedly pick up non-verbal cues that disclose a person’s intention towards fellow passengers.
The security device supposedly detects temperature, heart rate and respiration rate of passengers as they walk through the portal and records the result like a polygraph test. After that, computers convert these readings to assess the risk and a suspected person can be subjected to further screening. The system was recently tested in Maryland against 144 people.
It is claimed that the system can differentiate between an agitated innocent person with faster heart beat and a calm and composed terrorist. Each person can be screened in approximately two to four minute span.
Privacy concerns as to the data that is gathered during the screening process have been refuted with the logic that all the information gathered by ‘MALINTENT‘ will be erased after screening is over. Though the system aims on identifying and isolating potential human threats, it is likely to incorporate biological, radiological and explosive detection in near future. However, a spokesman for the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which is in charge of airport security reportedly said there were no plans to deploy ‘Malintent‘ immediately.
Tags: Department of Homeland Security, malintent, US Transportation Security Administration