Indiana Bans Driver's License Smiles, For Security

Smelly Jeffrey writes "According to a recent article, Indiana BMV Communications Director Dennis Rosebrough states that applicants for a new or renewed operator's license or state identification card will no longer be allowed to smile and say cheese. Apparently new facial recognition software being employed by the state fails to function when the face is distorted by something as innocuous as smiling. Also on the list of taboos are hats, eyeglasses, and hair that hangs down over the face. The article fails to mention, however, the legality of beards, mustaches, and bushy eyebrows." Similar restrictions are in place for the Enhanced Driver License (which serves as a sort of limited passport) implemented by the state of Washington, among others.

Comments

Speechless

[dyingtolive]

If your anti-terrorist/pedo/freedom/whatever facial recognition software is so sketchy that it can not cope with eyeglasses or facial expressions, it is not doing its job, and neither are you.

Re:Speechless

[rhsanborn]

In other news, the TSA will begin ramping up security under a new no-smiles initiative. Travelers appearing too happy while traveling through the airport will be stopped and asked to undergo an intensive search, as research has shown that terrorists might smile to get past facial recognition software.*

*I wish I didn't have to do this, but for the record, the above is satire.

A testament to the technology

[elrous0]

...that it can bet beat by a simple smile, much less something like a beard or actual disguise. Another one of those government boondoggles that's supposed to make us feel safe, but actually just wastes money and effort.

Missed Opportunity

[PMuse]

Why not tell people, "you can smile if you want to for your license, but we also have to shoot a picture of you not smiling"? Then, record both images, so that the recognition software has two looks available for that individual. Heck, get a shot of them with and without glasses, too.

This approach would make people happy, promote friendliness, and improve security.

Papers, please.

[Rinisari]

Real ID should make any sensible person cringe. Take five minutes and read how the federal government has mandated a variety of criteria for states' drivers licenses, the cost of which to the states is in the millions and is entirely unfunded (not to mention unconstitutional!) and poorly executed in states where it has been effected.

Take a moment today to call your state legislators and see where they stand on your states' Real ID compliance. If they oppose it, congratulate them and consider donating to their campaign. If they support it, swear on your mother's grave to see them unseated and replaced with a responsible legislator.

Re:Papers, please.

[Rinisari]

21 states have rejected it because it would be too expensive, too invasive, and/or pretty much unconstitutional.

Pennsylvania's Dept. of Transportation effected many of the points of Real ID without an edict from the PA legislature, and there are many legislators not pleased with this. One point required a multimillion dollar contract with a security firm whose technology was cracked reliably just a few months later (I wish I could find evidence on the 'net of this, but I trust the person who told me, as he's been following Real ID religiously since it was introduced).

You're advocating a national ID card, essentially. That's one stop shopping for identity thieves--just like social security numbers are now--and it won't do a thing to stop "terrorists" and other malfeasant souls. It's also terribly close to the "papers, please" seen in many places throughout time.

Re:Nothing new under the sun

[Hognoxious]

This strikes me as odd, considering I need glasses to legally drive a car, yet I'm not allowed to wear them for my driver's license picture.

One, the glasses partially hide your face.

Two, if the photo has you without glasses, they can always compare you to it by asking you to take your glasses off. If the photo shows you with glasses, they can only compare by getting you to wear the same glasses.

Next episode, why they have braille on drive-thru ATMs.

Re:So Give 'em What They Expect

[glwtta]

Yes, the man in his fifties getting carded - just to make really sure that those dang teenagers don't get their hands on the Devil Drink - is clearly the moron in that situation.