Do Not -- Repeat -- Do Not Smile
Digital technology tightens rules on driver's licenses
Monday, Dec 8, 2008 | Updated 11:33 AM CST
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Indiana joins 20 other states in introducing new technology to its motor vehicle department, which comes with strict guidelines for images to appear on drivers licenses.
Wipe that smile off your face and, oh, ditch the glasses.
The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles is restricting hats, scarves, glasses and even smiles in driver's license photographs.
BMV officials told The Times of Northwest Indiana that the new rules imposed last month are needed so that facial recognition software can spot fraudulent license applications.
The applicant's photograph will be compared with old photographs on file to protect customers from identity fraud.
That means glasses need to be removed. And if a person has hair hanging their face, it should be swept aside. Smiling can also distort facial features measured by the software.
"We believe it's our responsibility to assure all Hoosiers the credentials we issue ... are as accurate as possible," BMV Communications Director Dennis Rosebrough.
Indiana is one of about 20 states using the technology.
Posted Thursday, Jul 16, 2009 - 7:51 PM CST
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