US Security Agencies' Lie - Detector Probes Spark Panic

According to a report on April 28 (local time), multiple US security agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), are intensifying investigations into the loopholes in the US government regarding "leakage of classified information". Some agencies have even resorted to using lie - detectors, which has sparked panic.

A spokesman for the FBI confirmed that, under the instruction of the director, the FBI has started using lie - detectors in recent weeks to find the source of the "leak". This measure was taken because the "leakage" problem under investigation is of a serious nature and may "undermine the FBI's security procedures".

According to multiple US media reports, the key figure in the recent "chat - group leakage" incident, the Secretary of Defense, has threatened to use lie - detectors at the Pentagon and has demanded that some high - ranking officials in certain departments take lie - detector tests. In recent weeks, several close associates of the Secretary of Defense have left their positions due to suspected leakage of sensitive military information to the media, causing continuous upheaval at the Pentagon.

Last month, the US Department of Homeland Security began to have its employees take lie - detector tests to screen for those who might have leaked information about the deportation of illegal immigrants to the media. Dozens of employees of the Federal Emergency Management Agency also took lie - detector tests.

Eliminating "Leakers" and "Disloyal Ones"

Earlier this month, a far - right activist publicly called for all employees of intelligence agencies to take lie - detector tests to eliminate "leakers", especially those who had served in the previous Democratic administration. According to US media, after this activist advised the president to get rid of "disloyal" subordinates, the then - director of the National Security Agency and the commander of the Cyber Command was removed from office.

According to a report, the latest legal guidance from the US Attorney General provides further support for the "leakage" investigations of the government. According to this guidance, the Department of Justice can access journalists' personal contact lists. In addition to classified documents, the leakage of sensitive information that is suspected of "stirring up chaos and distrust" within the government may also be subject to criminal charges.

The report said that such investigations have sparked panic. Some people who left the government through a buy - out program are reluctant to be interviewed by the media. Even contractors with a certain level of security clearance are afraid to speak out, fearing that they might be asked during future lie - detector tests if they have had contact with the media.

An official with the highest - level security clearance, who asked to remain anonymous due to fear of retaliation, said that the current environment is "toxic". The current government is "conducting a 'witch - hunt' against whistle - blowers who expose the incompetence and poor management of the institutions, trying to silence those who do not follow the party line".

Another former official pointed out that the current investigations are not only targeting the leakage of classified information but also the leakage of "negative information", and the latter is not necessarily illegal.

Lie - Detectors Don't Really Detect Lies

An intelligence policy expert pointed out that lie - detectors do not really detect lies; they actually measure "stress". If a person being tested feels uneasy about a question, their pulse may speed up even if they have done nothing wrong.

The expert believes that lie - detectors are prone to errors. One example is an official of the Central Intelligence Agency in the 1980s. This official managed to deceive the lie - detector twice but was actually a Soviet spy.