New | Three Chinese state-owned banks using lie detectors and customers don’t know it

Xinhua says lie detectors used to improve ‘marketing’, ‘efficiency’ and ‘security’ - but customers in the dark

Stephen Chenin Beijing
A former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agent (right) demonstrates a polygraph test on a volunteer, with sensors attached to his fingers, arm and chest. Photo: Garrige Ho

At least three of China’s large state-owned banks are using lie detectors without the knowledge of their customers, according to official government media.

The Bank of China, Agricultural Bank of China and China Construction Bank were among a number of financial institutions that have been collaborating with the Chinese Academy of Sciences on implementing the latest polygraph technology in financial services to improve “marketing”, “efficiency” and “security”, Xinhua reported on Monday.

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