Don’t say cheese
Driver's license facial recognition software
Four states in the country that use facial recognition software to help curb driver’s license fraud are telling license holders to stop smiling for their license photos–or to at least tone down their expressions.
According to an article in USA Today, the states of Arkansas, Indiana, Nevada and Virginia require neutral facial expressions when photos are snapped at departments of motor vehicles locations.
Experts say dramatic differences in expressions can result in the software not being able to match an old photo to a new photo of the same person.
This sets off an internal alarm in the system that requires an agent or worker obtain an override from a supervisor to continue issuing the license.
Oklahoma uses similar recognition software to help prevent identity theft. It was put in place in late 2003 and the transition hasn’t been without snags. (See recent story here.)
Often, a tag agent will take photos until the system recognizes and accepts one. This can be time consuming and frustrating for Oklahomans renewing or obtaining a driver’s license.
One can only wonder if and when a trip to an Oklahoma tag agent for a driver’s license won’t be all smiles–not like it is now, anyway.
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