RSS
Twitter
No Smiling On Your Drivers License. It Makes Our Software Sad
from the the-computer-makes-me-frown dept
We've discussed in the past how absolutely useless most facial recognition systems are. Their error rates (both types of errors) are way too high to be even remotely useful. At best, they're potentially (though, not definitely) useful for advertising purposes, where a false read isn't that big of a deal. However, apparently some states are using facial recognition software to try to make sure the photo on the license matches with other photos of the individual -- but the software sucks so bad that it can't recognize faces when you smile. So, the states using the software, Arkansas, Indiana, Virginia, or Nevada are supposedly telling people they can no longer smile on their driver's license photos. Apparently finding software that actually works wasn't an option.
Reader Comments
(Flattened / Threaded)
Oregon Too
I would suspect that Oregon is doing something similar. When I got my license renewed a couple months ago, the woman operating the camera hassled me when I smiled because (and I quote) "the biometric thingy won't like it.". As a result, I look like a surly serial killer in my driver's license photo. Delightful.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Re: Oregon Too
> As a result, I look like a surly serial
> killer in my driver's license photo.
Well, take heart. If you'd smiled, you'd have just ended up looking like a serial killer who just made a fresh kill.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
True in Indiana
No glasses, no hats in Indiana, either. Nothing that blocks your face or contorts its expression.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
so what happens if you grow a beard (or shave one off)?
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Re:
You are neither allowed to grow a beard nor shave one off....
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Just line inelementary school
No talking, laughing, or chewing gum
And stay in a single file line
Papers please
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Uh....
"Arkansas, Indiana, Virginia, or Nevada are supposedly telling people they can no longer smile on their driver's license photos"
In all honesty, have you been to any of those places? With the extremely unlikely but possible exception of Nevada, what the hell would any citizens of those states have to smile about anyway? I think it's actually a warning that anyone smiling is immediately considered suspicious...
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Re: Uh....
Virginia's not a state, it's a Commonwealth...
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Re: Re: Uh....
Listen, I've been to Virginia, and I can assure you that the wealth is NOT very common...
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Re: Re: Re: Uh....
This is precisely what happens in a commonwealth.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Re: Re: Uh....
A commonwealth is a state, a state is a commonwealth.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Re: Uh....
Why Nevada? Because it has Las Vegas...? We have Northern VA -- which is nothing like the backwoods part of the rest of Virginia.
Northern Virginia is awesome...and yes, I do smile in my Driver's License.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Re: Re: Uh....
PS: Northern VA houses the riches counties in the country (Fairfax, Arlington, Loudon).
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Re: Re: Re: Uh....
PSS, I'm just trying to make a few people laugh once in a while. I clearly have a funny-fail going...
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Re: Uh....
Seriously? Do you carry around a bag of rocks? I bet you have a serious passion for sucking dick for a living.
Cheers DB,
BSH
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Re: Uh....
Actually, Arkansas is beautiful! But thanks for playing.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Lowest bidder
Ahh, the sub-par performance of the lowest bidder....
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Happy Criminals
Cool. All you have to do is smile when you're committing a crime and you're home free.
Technology: making the world a happier place.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
drivers' license
Here in BC we've been forbidden to smile for a number years. The same is true of our passport photos, with the added wrinkle that we can't wear glasses either even though (in my wife's case) she's almost legally blind without them. Both of us have license restrictions requiring us to wear "corrective lenses when driving" but we can't have our picture taken with them on! sheesh!
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Re: drivers' license
California now 'asks' you to not wear glasses while the picture is taken but they won't refuse to take the picture if you leave them on as far as I'm aware.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
The Specs
The specs didn't say it had to work. It just needed to be delivered by XYZ date.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
A commonwealth is a state, a state is a commonwealth.
What about the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico? Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico in Spanish.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Re:
Don't forget the Commonwealth's of Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Kentucky.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Who the hell can muster a smile after standing in line forever at the DMV anyway? They're lucky nobody gives them the finger, let alone a smile.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Please do the research
Well-researched news is better than fling-it-against-the-wall hyperbole. Administrators in Arkansas have been fighting the "no smiling" rumor since it surfaced a week ago. See the article here http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-05-25-licenses_N.htm. "You just can't grin really large," Arkansas driver services chief Tonie Shields says. Arkansas doesn't use facial recognition software. So that's not quite the same as "no smiling"...
And I appreciate the slings and arrows for those who live here - but ignorance and prejudice knows no boundaries.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
they've already disallowed smiling and general happiness on passports and driving licenses in ireland
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
try to make sure the photo on the license matches with other photos of the individual
I would go so far as to say most people smile in photos that are taken of them as long as they are aware of photographer. What troubles me is that they want you to look as though you are unaware of the surveillance Big Brother is/will be increasing.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
OK, now face it, how many times when someone asks you for your drivers license will you be smiling?
Unless you are an old fart and get carded for booze, that will make you smile, other than that?
Hmmm, lets see:
State Trooper--No Smile
Airport Security Line (for 54 mins.)--No Smile
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
No smiling, but anything else goes
Yes, Virginia, your photos are completely un-spoofable.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Uh nope
Actually Arkansas doesn't give a shit what you do when you get your picture taken. You can't wear dark glasses or a hat that hides your eyes but I've had my glasses on for my pictures for the last 12 years or so and mine are trifocals with a heavy prescription.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
wow, i'm so scared, things are getting bad, and you can bet with the coming collapse of the dollar, "which is GOING to happen" you can bet they're gonna be screwing us in all types of new ways,
seems like its about time to leave the country
!m
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Add Your Comment