| New Research From LogicaCMG Highlights Continued European Optimism Over Biometrics |
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| Thursday, 21 June 2007 | |
  
21 June 2007 - London UK, LogicaCMG today announced the results of its most recent pan-European electronic identity research. The study shows that Europeans 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. Featured Whitepaper
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Most Europeans 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 Europeans 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.” NOTES TO EDITORS Research was carried out by independent research company Vanson Bourne between March and May 2007. Representative samples of 500 interviewees in, France, Spain, Portugal, Germany, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic and Sweden (500 interviews per country) were interviewed online or via telephone. A full set of reports by country age and gender of recipients is available upon request. |
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