A new watchdog report says there are fundamental issues with the use of polygraphs for security screening by Canada91裸聊视频檚 cyberspy agency.

It calls for the Communications Security Establishment and the federal government to urgently address them or stop using the tests for security screening altogether.

The National Security and Intelligence Review Agency says it91裸聊视频檚 the first time a Canadian independent review body has done such a detailed assessment on this type of program.

The report says CSE91裸聊视频檚 use of polygraph tests, and the Treasury Board91裸聊视频檚 authorization of the tests for security screening, raises 91裸聊视频渟erious concerns91裸聊视频� under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

It says CSE policies didn91裸聊视频檛 adequately address privacy issues, and outlines concerns involving the collection and use of personal and medical information.

It also cites 91裸聊视频渞epetitive and aggressive91裸聊视频� questioning by examiners, often resulting from an assessment that was initially negative.

Such questioning 91裸聊视频渞isks causing some subjects to inadvertently fabricate information in an effort to explain an unfavourable polygraph assessment,91裸聊视频� it outlines.

The tests measure physiological responses like heart rate and blood pressure to detect deception.

But the review body says the research it looked at 91裸聊视频渟imply does not support the existence of a scientific consensus supporting the reliability or validity of the polygraph as a means to detect deception.91裸聊视频�

The report says CSE placed too much importance on the polygraphs, 91裸聊视频渢o the extent that other, less intrusive security screening activities were insufficiently used or not used at all.91裸聊视频�

It adds that the polygraph results were 91裸聊视频渄e facto determinative91裸聊视频� in making decisions related to security screening.

The watchdog says in a background document the Treasury Board should 91裸聊视频渦ndertake a thorough analysis to support which screening tools it promotes and requires while being mindful that security screening does not grant an organization the licence to override the fundamental privacy protections granted under Canadian law.91裸聊视频�

In a document responding to the report, CSE and the Treasury Board defended the use of polygraphs.

The Treasury Board said the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency is 91裸聊视频減roposing to remove a security measure that has been in successful use for almost four decades, and that is applied to only a small fraction of the public service for protection of only the most sensitive information.91裸聊视频�

The board said the recommendation did not consider the current threat environment 91裸聊视频渙r the proven record of that security measure in uncovering adverse information.91裸聊视频�

It said the proper use of polygraphs does not conflict with Canadian laws or values.

CSE said polygraphs help establish an individual91裸聊视频檚 loyalty to Canada but are a 91裸聊视频渟mall portion91裸聊视频� of its screening apparatus. It indicated it plans to make some changes, including to ensure quality control of the tests.

But it said it plans to continue using the tests, 91裸聊视频渁s it remains confident that the polygraph is an important security screening tool that is particularly necessary in light of the current national security and intelligence landscape.91裸聊视频�