Biometrics: 'People don't mind them'

Biometrics are becoming an accepted form of identification for the general public, according to a recent survey commissioned by EDS and the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP).

Just over two-thirds of the US consumers polled said they were open to the idea of using biometric information - such as digital fingerprints and iris scanning - to verify their identity.

Nearly 90 per cent cited the convenience of biometrics - compared to remembering passwords - as the reason they'd accept it.

Paul Martin, executive director at EDS UK, sees the results as part of a trend whereby people are getting more comfortable with the technology. He told silicon.com: "There's emerging evidence people accept that biometrics are much the same as digital pictures which people now accept on passports."

The survey also provides evidence that a need exists for improving security measures; 60 per cent of respondents said they'd give out personal information such as their address and account numbers to unsolicited callers or emails.

The use of biometrics has been a focal point of UK Home Secretary David Blunkett's plans to roll out compulsory ID cards.

MPs have raised concerns that the biometrics used for ID cards may not be trustworthy and may be uncomfortable for users.

EDS' Martin admitted biometrics must be properly implemented. "They must be tamperproof," he said. And the enrolment process must be done correctly to link a person with the appropriate biometric data, he added.

The EU in October approved the use of biometric identification - both facial and fingerprint data - in passports.

And a recent survey from Hitachi Data Systems revealed almost half UK companies polled said they expect to implement biometric technology within two years.

The EDS research, called the 2004 Identity Management Survey, consisted of interviews with over 1,000 US consumers.