Indiana: No Smiling License Rule - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Family Ties Forever! · 12-09-2008, 03:55 PM

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Indiana Restricts Smiles On Driver's Licenses
Smiles Confuse Facial Recognition Software

Posted: 9:24 am CST December 9, 2008

Indianapolis -- Feel like smiling in your driver's license photo? Don't even think about it in Indiana.

The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles is restricting glasses, hats, scarves -- and even smiles -- in driver's license photographs, reported television station WRTV in Indianapolis.

The new rules imposed last month were deemed necessary so that facial recognition software can spot fraudulent license applications, said BMV spokesman Dennis Rosebrough.

The new technology represents an advancement of what the BMV already was doing, Rosebrough said. BMV employees always have looked at the old photo of a person to see if it looked like the person seeking a new license.

"The way our technology works, overnight, it would do a complete database search," Rosebrough said. "If there was an issue, it would pop up on a report that would be followed up on the next day."

Indiana is one of about 20 states using the facial recognition technology, he said, and other states have similar restrictions on driver's license photographs.

"We believe it's our responsibility to assure all Hoosiers the credentials we issue ... are as accurate as possible," Rosebrough said.

BMV officials want driver's license photographs to accurately show people's permanent facial features. That means that glasses need to be removed. And if a person has hair hanging their face, it should be swept aside. Smiling is also restricted because it can distort facial features measured by the software, Rosebrough said.

"Anything that would obstruct that permanent physical feature would then diminish the reliability and effectiveness of the technology," he said.

BMV customers can petition to leave on headdresses in photographs for religious reasons and can petition to have a non-photo license or identification card, Rosebrough said.

He said there have been few problems with implementing the new rules.

"If people understand why we're doing something, our experience is the great, great majority of our customers say, 'Fine, we get it,"' Rosebrough said.

Many motorists WRTV spoke with Monday said they were surprised by the restrictions.

"I'd have a hard time. I really can not not smile," said Amber Mohling.

"I don't know what to think about it. Things are just getting sillier and sillier," said Garry Crawford.

Other drivers said that anything that helps protect them from the possibility of identity theft is welcomed.

"It's really, really important. Any measure they can take ... is well worthwhile doing," said Jeff Rau.

Distributed by Internet Broadcasting.

Hollow · 12-09-2008, 04:04 PM

people will probably think it's stupid and "unfair", but glamour isn't worth sacrificing security.

Doodyville10019 · 12-09-2008, 04:49 PM

I'm sorry but smiling is NOT considered glamour. It's bad enough that every government building I go into, be it state or federal, there are armed guards that want to see your photo ID - now you can't even smile?

People so obsessed with security...when is government going to learn two very basic things that are simply part of everyday life (at least in a big city):

1) Everyone has to live the good life somehow - we encourage it, we promote it, we worship it - but not everyone is willing to or can work for it. That's why we have identity thieves. Increase the number of jobs available, make them interesting (and pay at least a living wage) and you can reduce the ID theft rate dramatically.

2) No matter how much security you lay down, if someone wants to get at a building to destroy it (and sometimes the people in it) if they're good enough and determined enough they'll do it. The more security you lay down, the more difficult the access for AVERAGE, EVERYDAY people who want to do nothing more than conduct their business.

I work across the street from the Richard J. Daley Center, which is a major courthouse - City Hall is across the street from me and a major State of Illinois office building is one block away, as is the state Appellate Court and Supreme Court building. The Federal courthouse and Metropolitan Correctional Center (a Federal prison) are four blocks away. Sears Tower is one mile away. All of these buildings would make good terrorist targets, and all have multiple layers of security, requiring you to show an ID upon entering each. To me, it is all pointless. If someone is good enough - and willing enough - they'll do something in any of those buildings. That's why I really don't have any faith in security - it's only a hinderment for average people.

TripperFan · 12-10-2008, 06:19 PM

I wouldn't have a problem with it

If anything, I always get told to smile but I figure if I'm being stopped by a cop, I won't be smiling then either so he might as well have the same picture to look at.

Frankly, I'd love to be able to give the finger in my license photo!

PunkyP0WER · 12-10-2008, 08:31 PM

that a girl ^ i swallowed my food before reading this time

catlover79 · 12-11-2008, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PunkyP0WER

that a girl ^ i swallowed my food before reading this time

Janice · 12-11-2008, 03:53 AM

It's done for a good technological reason, so the facial recognition software will work effectively. Sounds reasonable enough to me.

Hollow · 12-11-2008, 04:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TripperFan

I wouldn't have a problem with it

If anything, I always get told to smile but I figure if I'm being stopped by a cop, I won't be smiling then either so he might as well have the same picture to look at.

Frankly, I'd love to be able to give the finger in my license photo!

i like my license picture. i'm not smiling, nor even really looking at the camera. hasn't caused any issues when i've been carded though.

James · 12-11-2008, 04:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janice

It's done for a good technological reason, so the facial recognition software will work effectively. Sounds reasonable enough to me.

I wonder how a smile can hinder facial recognition software. That's what gets me; I'm all for safety, especially in a post-9/11 society.

dakert · 12-11-2008, 11:25 AM

What about The Osmonds, Toni Tennille etc... arent they always smiling.

LOL

TripperFan · 12-11-2008, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by safety pin

i like my license picture. i'm not smiling, nor even really looking at the camera. hasn't caused any issues when i've been carded though.

The next time you get your pic taken Sarah, you should do the makeup job you did as the beaten up girl! That would take them back - black eyes, bruises, etc.. It'd would be an interesting reaction I'm sure! lol

Oh - and also give "the Black Power" fist up!

catlover79 · 12-11-2008, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dakert

What about The Osmonds, Toni Tennille etc... arent they always smiling.

LOL

View Poll Results: Should smiling be restricted?
Yes	3	25.00%
No	9	75.00%
Voters: 12. You may not vote on this poll

12-09-2008, 04:49 PM	#3
Doodyville10019 Meet my new friend Sparkie! Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 08, 2008 Location: Competition Square, located in Doodyville Park Posts: 877	I'm sorry but smiling is NOT considered glamour. It's bad enough that every government building I go into, be it state or federal, there are armed guards that want to see your photo ID - now you can't even smile? People so obsessed with security...when is government going to learn two very basic things that are simply part of everyday life (at least in a big city): 1) Everyone has to live the good life somehow - we encourage it, we promote it, we worship it - but not everyone is willing to or can work for it. That's why we have identity thieves. Increase the number of jobs available, make them interesting (and pay at least a living wage) and you can reduce the ID theft rate dramatically. 2) No matter how much security you lay down, if someone wants to get at a building to destroy it (and sometimes the people in it) if they're good enough and determined enough they'll do it. The more security you lay down, the more difficult the access for AVERAGE, EVERYDAY people who want to do nothing more than conduct their business. I work across the street from the Richard J. Daley Center, which is a major courthouse - City Hall is across the street from me and a major State of Illinois office building is one block away, as is the state Appellate Court and Supreme Court building. The Federal courthouse and Metropolitan Correctional Center (a Federal prison) are four blocks away. Sears Tower is one mile away. All of these buildings would make good terrorist targets, and all have multiple layers of security, requiring you to show an ID upon entering each. To me, it is all pointless. If someone is good enough - and willing enough - they'll do something in any of those buildings. That's why I really don't have any faith in security - it's only a hinderment for average people.
	__________________ Hi! Hey! Hello again, here we go again!

12-10-2008, 06:19 PM	#4
TripperFan In God's Arms Now Forum Star Join Date: Sep 14, 2003 Location: Heartbreak Ridge Posts: 12,086	I wouldn't have a problem with it If anything, I always get told to smile but I figure if I'm being stopped by a cop, I won't be smiling then either so he might as well have the same picture to look at. Frankly, I'd love to be able to give the finger in my license photo!
	__________________ If I don't see you in this world, I'll meet you in the next one.....don't be late James Marshall Hendrix Voodoo Chile The Forum Legend formerly known as TripperFan "religion is for people who are afraid of hell--spirituality is for people who have been through hell"---anonymous

12-10-2008, 08:31 PM	#5
PunkyP0WER Member Senior Member Join Date: May 23, 2008 Location: MACY*S on 34th St. Posts: 1,908	that a girl ^ i swallowed my food before reading this time
	__________________ Faith is believing in things when common sense tells you not to. - Fred Gailey & Doris Walker It was the movie that no one thought would be a hit It was the sleeper a studio had no idea how to sell And its success was even more miraculous because this Christmas present was opened in June! Fred & Doris Gailey FOREVER! That's the magic of *macys**

12-09-2008, 04:04 PM	#2
Hollow Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 16, 2001 Posts: 30,406	people will probably think it's stupid and "unfair", but glamour isn't worth sacrificing security.

12-11-2008, 03:53 AM	#7
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	It's done for a good technological reason, so the facial recognition software will work effectively. Sounds reasonable enough to me.

12-11-2008, 11:25 AM	#10
dakert Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: May 10, 2007 Location: Altoona PA Posts: 3,411	What about The Osmonds, Toni Tennille etc... arent they always smiling. LOL