No Smiles At NJ Motor Vehicle Commission

Reader Presto Vivace blesses us with news that the state of New Jersey "has banned motorists from making big smiles [for their license pictures] because such expressions don't work with facial recognition software." Now that passports are by decree grim and glasses-free, I'm expecting the next phase to involve the banning of facial hair, lips, and any hair that blocks the ears.

Re:No smiles in Ohio

[Immerman]

Actually I don't think the software even "sees" glasses, they don't affect the control point recognition, but glasses can throw human-powered facial recognition off, and it's a lot easier for an official to ask you to remove your glasses when confirming your identity than to have you wear the same style as in your photo if you've changed them or are wearing contacts. Also glasses and flash photography don't get along all that well (glare hides your eyes), and do you really want *another* reason for the barely competent person at the DMV to spend three hours trying to do something simple for the person in front of you?

Re:Smile!

[tompaulco]

Well, who says they can use my driver's license photo to do facial recognition on? I didn't sign up for that.

Re:No smiles in Ohio

[Anonymous Coward]

I work as an engineer in ohio for the company behind all this and can tell you facial recognition never works anyhow.

Re:Smile!

[amiga3D]

When you think of it, with things like the Boston tea party and other disruption, I'm sure all the founding father's would be branded terrorists today.