European consumers plug into biometrics

Most Europeans are now happy to undergo fingerprint and iris scanning when travelling abroad

The majority of European consumers have a positive outlook on biometric security and expect a range of benefits from electronic identity technologies, according to newly published research.

A study carried out by Vanson Bourne on behalf of global IT services group LogicaCMG suggested that privacy concerns, which have held back biometric adoption, are now being overcome.

Convenience and safety when travelling, and the safe management of financial transactions, are now cited as more important for Europeans than perceived privacy issues.

On average, 84 per cent of Europeans would be happy to undergo fingerprint and iris scanning when travelling abroad as they believe this will speed up and ease travel procedures.

Almost 90 per cent believe that biometric technology will reduce identity theft, while 85 per cent believe it will reduce financial fraud.

France leads the way with the acceptance of biometrics, where 92 per cent of respondents are happy to have a fingerprint and iris scan when travelling abroad. The Czech Republic is the most reluctant at only 67 per cent.

Portugal is most confident of a reduction in identity theft and financial fraud, where a staggering 95 per cent of people in both cases expect biometrics to help cut such crimes.