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Indiana Bans Driver's License Smiles, For Security

Posted by timothy on from the one-doozy-of-an-aha!-moment dept.

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.

4 of 459 comments (clear)

  1. Speechless by dyingtolive · · Score: 5, Insightful

    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.

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    Support the EFF and Creative Commons. The war is coming, and they're supporting you...
    1. Re:Speechless by rhsanborn · · Score: 5, Insightful

      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.

  2. Missed Opportunity by PMuse · · Score: 5, Insightful

    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.

    --
    "We reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals." --The American President (20.1.2009)
  3. Re:So Give 'em What They Expect by glwtta · · Score: 5, Insightful

    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.

    --
    sic transit gloria mundi