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New Survey Finds Americans Willing to Accept Biometric Identifiers

The support for the use of biometric identifiers depends on privacy safeguards.

HACKENSACK, N.J. -- A majority of Americans believes it is acceptable for the private sector to use biometric technologies, according to a recently released survey commissioned by SEARCH, funded by the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics and developed by Privacy & American Business.

The survey found that public support for biometrics hinges on the privacy safeguards set in place by legislators and adopted voluntarily by companies to protect consumers from potential misuse of their biometric identifiers and to gain consumer trust.

"Many organizations are turning to biometrics and other technologies to help them implement new government imperatives, but also to protect their customer, client and patient information," said Alan Westin, president and publisher of Privacy & American Business.

Although consumer experience with biometrics is generally low, most Americans said it is acceptable for the private sector to request a biometric scan when checking the identity of an individual buying a gun against a database of convicted felons (91 percent); verifying the identity of those making credit card purchases (85 percent); withdrawing funds from an ATM (78 percent); accessing sensitive files, such as medical or financial records (77 percent); conducting background checks (76 percent); and screening out those banned from gambling or professional card counters in casinos (56 percent).

The survey results demonstrated a strong link between public concerns over identity fraud and support for the uses of biometrics by both the public and private sectors. More than eight in ten respondents (81 percent) reported that they have heard or read about some form of identity theft.

Those who have read or heard about identity fraud or theft were higher in rating private sector uses as acceptable than those who were not aware of this crime.

Privacy & American Business