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New research from LogicaCMG highlights continued European optimism over biometrics
20 June 2007
LogicaCMG today announced the results of its most recent pan-European electronic identity research. The study1 shows that the Europeans surveyed continue to feel positively about the introduction of biometrics and anticipate a wide range of major benefits in the near future, including better protection against identity theft.
The report shows that the majority of European respondents (58%) would voluntarily join a Government backed identity registration scheme that involved biometric information with a further 30% undecided. 52% of Europeans would agree with it being legally compulsory to join such a scheme with a further 21% undecided. Putting this in context, 77% of all Europeans would be happy to carry an identity card that would contain biometric information.
Most Europeans surveyed would be happy to provide the biometric data to register their identity documentation. 83% would be happy providing fingerprints with 66% happy to submit to a digital photo of their eyes.
Tim Best, director, global identity solutions, LogicaCMG, explains what this means for the biometrics industry and those organisations looking to deploy the technology: "Firstly this continued high level of acceptance is very encouraging – we are rapidly approaching a ‘tipping point’ where people’s concerns over the technology are outweighed by their optimism. However a significant proportion of people remain undecided and it now falls to both the biometrics industry and those organisations that want to deploy the technology to reach out to these groups and demonstrate the benefits biometrics and electronic identity technology can bring."
The most anticipated benefit from having a biometrically-enabled ID card is better protection against identity theft, with 84% of Europeans expecting this to be the case. Over two thirds of European respondents also anticipate faster / easier transactions with governments (67%) and quicker / easier travel through national borders (72%).
The main concerns Europeans have now are centred on issues of privacy and the use of any personal information beyond the boundaries of what it was originally submitted for. When asked what negative factor they most associated with biometrics, 31% of Europeans cited the potential loss of personal privacy. When asked what factor would most deter them from joining a government-backed identity scheme using biometrics, 38% said they were concerned that the information may be used for purposes other than originally intended.
Best explains: "These concerns may well form the reasons why some Europeans are undecided about electronic identity technology and there needs to be clear safeguards in place to reassure people that their privacy will not be adversely affected or that their information will not be used beyond its original scope. Thankfully there are many legal frameworks in place for this already."
"The optimism that biometrics will deliver increased protection against identity theft is most topical – identity theft is a rapidly growing crime and improvements in the fight against it will resonate with a lot of people. The anticipation of improved travel and government interaction bode well for European tourism and the movement of labour – these will be key trends impacted by this technology."
"However it is clear from the widespread acceptance of biometrics technology that there is soon to be a step change in attitudes towards electronic identify and this will have wide repercussions across the Continent."