[access-uk] Re: Iris recognition for security
- From: "Hughs Mail" <hugh.megarry@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 7 Aug 2004 18:17:12 +0100
So if a criminal wants to get away without being identified he or she
should have an open mouth grin all the time not hard to beat the
scanners then=20
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All the best for now=20
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-----Original Message-----
From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf
Of Ray's Home
Sent: 07 August 2004 08:28
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [access-uk] Iris recognition for security
Hi Folks.
Yesterday I was invited to take part in a session to help trial iris
recognition in passports, and not being one to turn down fifteen quid
for no more than an hours waiting about and going through the process,
how could I refuse? I've heard of this recently and always thought that
for many, if not most VI people, its not practical or workable. Why is
this being chosen over finger prints? Maybe because iris recognition,
if it works, would be quicker. Anyone know the answer?
In the meantime, here's a peice from BBC technology News about NOT
smiling for the bluddy camera.
Ray.
Grins banned from passport pics
Travellers have been ordered not to look too happy in their passport
photographs to avoid confusing facial recognition scanners. Toothy, open
mouthed grins are being outlawed from the tiny 35mm by 45mm photographs
because they will throw off scanners used at airports.
Long fringes and head coverings, are also banned, under the new
regulations along with dummies in babies' mouths.
The new type of passports are being introduced in a bid to fight
terrorism.
A Home Office spokesman said: "When the mouth is open it can make it
difficult for facial recognition technology to work effectively." The
machines work by matching key points on the holder's face, such as the
mouth and eyes, with the photograph.
'Neutral expression'
It is easier for it to recognise a neutral expression with the mouth
closed.
Chief executive of the UK Passport Service (UKPS) Bernard Herdan said:
"These new guidelines are an important step in the development of the
new biometric ePassport and use of facial recognition technology that
will be introduced in 2005 as part of the ongoing fight against fraud
and international terrorism." The UKPS is planning to implement a facial
recognition image biometric in the British passport book from late 2005
to early 2006.
It is hoped the biometric image will help to counter identity fraud and
verify the identity of the holder against the document.
The new rules say "photographs must show no shadows: your face looking
straight at the camera, a neutral expression, with your mouth closed."
Head coverings
Eyes must be open and clearly visible, and there must be no sunglasses,
tinted glasses or hair across the eyes, it adds.
Anyone who wears glasses must wear them at the end of their nose so they
do not cover their eyes. They must also ensure the lenses do not produce
reflections.
No head coverings are allowed unless they are worn for a religious
belief.
The new photographic regulations are effective immediately but the
Passport Service says it will exercise some flexibility until early
2005.
Existing passport holders will not need to have their current passports
updated, but they will have to comply with the new guidelines when they
renew their passports.
Would your passport pic pass muster under the new rules? Why not send us
your comments - using the form below- or send your passport photo and
comments to yourpics@xxxxxxxxx
It's simple; if these new computer systems can't do the job properly,
let alone as well as a human can already do it, then they're not ready
and should not be used yet. Why should we change our behaviour to
compensate for an inadequate, unnecessary and expensive computer system?
Duncan Corps, Knebworth, England
My passport will be fine, but reading the do's and don'ts for children's
passports is ridiculous. As if a young toddler/child is able to be a
terrorist. This is getting absurd. Yes they should tighten up on
pictures, but surely not for children. I had loads of problems getting
my child to have her photo taken at 13 months old, sounds as though I
will have many problems with my 9 month old twin boys. Michelle,
Rainham, Kent
My passport photo has a picture of me from 1996 with very long length
hair, a beard and a scruffy t-shirt. Bearing that in mind, the last time
I got on a flight I was wearing a suit - the hair and beard have been
chopped. No one took a second look at the photo... John, Southampton, UK
Why was none of this deemed necessary when the IRA was waging a
terrorist war against us? Matthew Hunt, Felixstowe
I recently applied for a passport renewal. I was told that my chin was
too dark in the photo I submitted (I am black) and that the scanning
software could not lighten the it sufficiently for it to be of use! Paul
Ashman, Bromley, Kent
Oh, well done! Millions of pounds spent on a system that cannot deal
with one of the most basic human expressions. There can't be much hope
therefore for it dealing with people gaining/losing weight,
growing/removing facial hair or indeed aging by 10 years over a 10 year
period. Richard, Harrogate, UK
As far as I know, it has always been the case that passport photos are
not supposed to show you smiling. In fact, Norman Wisdom used this very
instruction for a scene in his film "Man of the Moment". This is
certainly the advice I've always seen in the application forms, and it
is what I have always complied with. So yes, my passport photo would
pass muster under these rules. David Hazel, Fareham, UK
I assume that Blunkett will now be passing a law forbidding smiling,
babies dummies or any type of facial covering in airports in order for
the technology to work properly. Adam Naylor, Kidderminster, UK
If you look like your passport photo, you are too sick to travel!
Malcolm, Milton Keynes, Bucks
The technology for facial recognition is massively over hyped. In fact
it is extremely unreliable even under ideal conditions. This story is
just an early indication of the fact that the technology is not even
close to working well enough for this application. Yes a digital image
can be stored on a passport, no a machine will not be able to tell
whether a person matches the photo any better than a human could and in
fact will do worse. Alan Johnson, Thame, UK
Should not be a problem - with this increasingly nanny state, we have
nothing left to smile at anyway ! Neil McDougall, Marlow England
Why on earth are people whinging. It doesn't matter what the reasons are
for passport photos being what they are. The Passport Office sets the
rules. We have two choices: follow them, or don't get a passport. After
all, leaving the country is not compulsory! John Smith, London, UK
I welcome any system that can be used to identify potential terrorists.
A human cannot remember the faces of all suspects. Even if a computer
only recognises a few faces, this could potentially avoid another
terrorist atrocity. Simon Rowan, London
To me photos of young children seem pretty pointless anyway. My sons
passport has a picture of him taken by the hospital photographer when he
was just a few hours old, but it's valid for 5 years. At 20 months he
already looks nothing like the photo, and even though it would obey the
rules on no smiling and so on, can you really tell me that a scanner
will be able to make a match between photo and child when he is 4 or 5
years old? Rob, Dorchester, UK
In response to Matthew Hunt of Felixstowe's question, I would guess this
has more to do with the unreliability of face recognition technology
than with the seriousness of the threat. As a technology it has a lot of
appeal for people who work in border control and national security,
because it promises the possibility of scanning large numbers of people
very quickly for any of a number of 'wanted' faces. But as yet the
technology is still in its infancy, and can be thwarted by hats,
glasses, beards, etc. and evidently even a smile. Close your mouth on
your passport photo and smile on your way through customs though, and
the effect will presumably be the same. Bruce Ashton, Reaing, UK
Glasses at the end of my nose - and a po face? Evidently the intention
to make all focally challenged persons look like vicars in their
passports is a device to conceal the true identity of some fanatical
religious terrorist outfit. We must beware - some deep radical Anglican
organisation has obviously infiltrated the passport office. Just because
you're paranoid, don't mean they're not after you! Andy Mayo, Cambridge,
UK
I once sent a photo in so that they could process my new passport and
they sent it back saying that the photo was unacceptable because the top
of my head reached the top of the photo. I sent in a clipping of my hair
and asked them to attach it to the photo... they weren't amused. Richard
Johnson, London
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/uk_politics/3541444.stm
Published: 2004/08/06 13:05:33 GMT
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