Q: While renewing my driver’s license, I was asked to remove my glasses before being photographed. I was told this was necessary for the facial recognition software to work. How and why is DDS using this software, and with whom are they sharing it?
—Marline Elkins, Marietta
A: The Georgia Department of Driver Services uses driver's license photos to verify each customer's identity and prevent fraud. Georgia Code 40-5-2 (3b) prohibits the disclosure of photographs in a person's driving record without written consent, DDS spokeswoman Susan Sports told Q&A on the News in an email. "Absent such consent, the DDS only releases photographs upon receipt of a subpoena issued by a court, or if requested by law enforcement officers for a criminal investigation," she wrote.
Q: How many military bases does the U.S. have around the world? What other countries have military bases outside of their borders?
—Donald Varn, Conyers
A: The U.S. had 598 bases of varying sizes in 40 countries and 97 more bases in U.S. territories as of Sept. 30, 2012, according to the Department of Defense's 2013 Base Structure Report. Among those, there were 179 bases in Germany, 109 in Japan and 83 in South Korea. France has bases in several countries, mostly former African colonies, but also one in the United Arab Emirates that opened in 2009. The United Kingdom has bases in several countries, including Canada. India, Japan, Russia and Turkey are among the other countries that maintain international bases.
Andy Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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