Why can't you smile in a pass port picture?

Question

I was wondering this because yesterday I took my picture for my pass port and they told me not to smile. It was hard because when told not to smile, I smile naturally. Does anyone know why they tell you not to smile?

Answer 1

The goal is to have a nation of terrorists on passport pictures.  This will justify the wanton apprehension of innocent people and overlooking of real criminals.

Answer 2

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 pacifiers 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

Answer 3

Look more natural....most folks don't smile..They asked me to take the towel off my head (hair was wet, ..what where you thinking?)

Answer 4

I smiled on mine, so that isn't prohibited everywhere.

Answer 5

Hmmm. I smiled in mine!  That obviously isn't a standard everywhere.

Answer 6

Or your drivers licence

Answer 7

so you look more natural