It was (is?) a common thing in Germany and probably in Switzerland as well.
Hiring person might have a bias against people with blonde/brown/black hair. Oh! they look like they are cocky and difficult. This person reminds me of my ex, there is no way I could be in the same office.....
This list of biases are endless. Sexism/Racism/Ableism/Ageism/etc are all given a free pass if you include a picture, but become various shades of obscure without it.
jk, I do benefit from white privilege and with a name as common as John Smith I am sure I pass many other unseen/unknown-to-me hurdles.
I wasn't trying to argue/fight or even educate, simply carrying on the conversation as I thought it was occurring. Explain my thought process and reasoning for questioning the practice. If you feel confronted, I humbly apologize.