The government of Canada has issued new specifications for future-to-be passport holders: when making those passport photos, you’re not supposed to be smiling anymore. To be more precise, a neutral expression and mouth closed as the images clearly demonstrate at the Passport Office website.
According to the Office, Canada is complying with recommendations of the International Civil Aviation Organization, the United Nations agency responsible for aviation issues. The ICAC is apparantly pushing for standardized photo specifications around the world to facilitate the introduction of biometric security devices. In the not so distant future, the organization hopes to have face recognition scanners in airports all over the world. Earlier this year the US Congress passed a law that requires countries to include biometric standards and measurements to passports: European countries for example are required to have at least ‘facial recognition’ cameras in place.
Recently privacy organizations and scientists renounced the use of face recognition scanners, calling the technology ineffective (PDF) and error-ridden. Earlier the Tampa (FL) police department dropped a face recognition system, saying that the technology didn’t do what it promised (see also EPIC’s face recognition page).