Oregon DMV Paves Way For Facial Recognition
Pastor Dale Morgan
Oregon DMV Paves Way For Facial Recognition*
DMV changes pave way for facial recognition anti-fraud software
Oregon residents soon will see a change in how DMV issues driver
licenses and identification cards. During the summer DMV will convert
all its offices to centralized issuance of driver licenses and ID cards.
Under centralized issuance, DMV will issue an interim card to customers
who qualify for Oregon driving privileges or an ID card. Customers will
receive their permanent plastic cards - produced and mailed from a
central location instead of provided at DMV field offices - typically
within five to 10 business days after their visit to DMV. This is the
same way that cards are issued in California, Washington and about a
dozen other states.
“The main difference customers will see is that they will get a paper
interim card instead of the secure plastic card at the DMV office,” DMV
Administrator Lorna Youngs said. “The only other difference is minor
changes in appearance of the permanent card.”
The centrally-issued permanent card will have the same design and
security features as the over-the-counter plastic card that DMV has been
issuing since 2004. However, the new printing process will create a
slightly different look and feel. The bar codes on both the interim and
permanent cards also will change under the central issuance process.
Businesses that scan the new barcodes may get a false reading that a
card is invalid and should check with their software provider for an update.
People who have been issued the interim card and are awaiting their
permanent card may wish to carry additional identification if they need
to conduct business that requires ID. Banks, retailers, other businesses
and government agencies may set their own policies for establishing
identification of customers carrying the interim card.
Oregon is converting to this new issuance process as a first step in
installing anti-fraud “facial recognition” software by the July 1, 2008,
deadline set by the 2005 Oregon Legislature.
Once the new technology is in place, if an applicants' photo appears
similar to an existing photo under a different name, DMV will not issue
the permanent card and instead will contact law enforcement. In cases
where photos are similar but not identical, DMV will ask those
individuals to return to DMV with additional proof of identity.