(Don't) Say Cheese

Looks like the Hoosier state is quite a trend setter in facial verification technology these days. Back in December, I wrote about Indiana's Bureau of Motor Vehicles restricting scarves, hats and glasses, but the one prohibited 'accessory' that drew the most attention was none other than a teethy grin!

Now, three other states are following suit as researchers have concluded smiles inhibit the technology from accurate identifications, and more 'neutral' expressions are much more conducive to proper authentication.

Arkansas, Nevada and Virginia are all installing systems similar to that of Indiana's BMV and will compare new driver photos with those already existing in the database. If there happens to be a match -- which indicates attempted identity fraud -- department personnel will be immediately notified.

While computerized matching isn't an entirely new venture (31 other states already do it, including Texas and Oregon, and other states like California are well on their way), the regulation on smiles is a step in a new direction.

Despite drawing a few red flags, this type of preventative measure -- using technology to cut down on identity theft and fraud -- is an improvement for all parties concerned. As the article states, Illinois alone has stopped 6,000 attempted fraud cases since first installing the system a decade ago, and with numbers like that, it isn't far-fetched to say the main benefactor of this new technology is the driver!

However, for everyone to realize the advantages derived in such widespread initiatives -- I'm not referencing only DMV deployments, but also public surveillance grids and the like -- program goals and purposes must be explained to the public to ensure their understanding. People will always be resistant to silly or needless rules, so they need to be informed that new developments are being put in place to benefit them! Plus, even though they are nearly always awful, the license mugshot has an undeniable place in American culture and may cause quite the uproar considering the limited number of laughs a 'neutral' face can garner.

Smiles or no smiles isn't what matters -- it's the consistency of the pictures that is at the heart of the issue. While choosing a “neutral” expression probably makes the most practical sense, perhaps we can rise up in revolt and demand that our smiles become the norm if we feel strongly enough! The request might be more difficult to satisfy technologically, but a happy-looking driver may make the DMV a bit more bearable for the semi-annual visit many often make.

There is also more advanced technology out there today that might make this debacle less painful -- just think of that "smile detection" feature on most digital cameras on the market. Using it in reverse and adding on other filters designed to weed out squinting or general silly, odd, or bad poses or expressions, dare I say it might make it possible for the entire American driver population to have a half-decent license photo and one that is immune to identity fraud?

Looks like we're headed in that direction.