May 28, 2009 2:02PM 

# Virginians’ Happiness Frustrates DMV 

By [Jim Harper](https://www.cato.org/people/jim-harper) 

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Showing off those pearly whites frustrates facial recognition software used by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, so DMV workers are [instructing motorists not to smile](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/27/AR2009052703627.html) for their driver license photos. It’s a story worthy of The Onion, but it’s apparently true.

Facial recognition is just another way that governments are looking to keep tabs on citizens and residents. The need for specific no-smiling instructions will recede over time as national ID systems facilitate government control and make life in America naturally unhappy.

##### Related Tags 

[Technology and Privacy](https://www.cato.org/technology-privacy) 

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