Making domestic terrorism a federal crime; lie detectors at airports; “new realities” of Calif.’s fire services, and more

Overview of U.S. lie detection systems for airport security checkpoints (Natalie Salmanowitz, Lawfare)
Over the next five months, travelers crossing external borders in Hungary, Latvia and Greece will have the opportunity to participate in the European Union’s latest effort to increase the security, efficiency and efficacy of its border checkpoints. The new system, “iBorderCtrl,” involves a voluntary two-step procedure. First, travelers register online, where an animated border agent asks a series of questions. As the traveler answers, an automated deception detection system measures “micro-gestures” on the traveler’s face and generates a risk assessment score. Those deemed “low risk” will face minimal security checks when they arrive at the border, while “high risk” travelers must undergo an extensive screening process—including fingerprinting and palm-vein analyses. The system then produces a new risk assessment score for “high risk” travelers, which guides the (human) border agent’s decision whether to take further action.
Though iBorderCtrl has garnered significant attention, the prospect of using lie detection to enhance border security is by no means novel. As this post will explain, the United States has developed at least four deception detection systems over the past decade. While proponents tout deception detection measures as a more objective, streamlined approach to homeland security, others, such as Gene Kosowan, view these techniques as “part of a broader trend towards using opaque, and often deficient, automated systems to judge, assess and classify people.” This article will summarize the legal debate surrounding lie detection measures in the United States and explain why a technique like iBorderCtrl—if ever implemented in the United States—may avoid the legal pitfalls of other systems.

Greenhouse gas emissions accelerate like a “speeding freight train” in 2018 (Kendra Pierre-Louis, New York Times)
Greenhouse gas emissions worldwide are growing at an accelerating pace this year, researchers said Wednesday, putting the world on track to face some of the most severe consequences of global warming sooner than expected.
Scientists described the quickening rate of carbon dioxide emissions in stark terms, comparing it to a “speeding freight train” and laying part of the blame on an unexpected surge in the appetite for oil as people around the world not only buy more cars but also drive them farther than in the past — more than offsetting any gains from the spread of electric vehicles.

Why Facebook and Twitter aren’t stopping the flood of false and toxic content (Denise Clifton, Mother Jones)
Tech insiders and experts expose the dark side of the wildly lucrative social media business.

Global carbon emissions rose in 2018 — a lot (Akshat Rathi, Defense One)
Three studies show the world is losing the fight to reduce greenhouse gases by 2030.

Alabama officials say there is a need for more life-saving storm shelters (Michael Wetzel, The Decatur Daily)
The shelters cost from $50,000 to more than $100,000 but pay for themselves in lives saved, officials say. Many of the 47 shelters in operation are 10-by-48 feet and have a capacity of 96.

L.A. County supervisors to spend $4.5 million studying “new realities” in fire service (Matt Stiles, Los Angeles Times)
The supervisors said the fire has highlighted a new reality for the department: It must respond to wildfires in an era of drought conditions and prolonged periods of dry, windy weather while also providing emergency medical services to 4 million county residents.