"Including biometric data in ID documents is perceived by the public to help prevent fraud and identity theft, but, at the same time, many Americans express privacy and cost concerns about government use of the technology," said David Stark, privacy officer of TNS.
In June, Congress approved the REAL ID Act, which will require state motor vehicle agencies to use a common machine-readable technology and other federal ID standards in drivers' licenses by 2008. The new requirements will be established by the Department of Homeland Security and could include adding biometric information to drivers' licenses, such as fingerprints or retinal scans.
The survey of 1,003 American Internet users asked for their views on different types of biometric technology. More than eight in 10 point to fingerprinting as the most acceptable form of biometric identification, followed by iris scans (58 percent), hand geometry (50 percent) and voice recognition (48 percent).
The survey also asked whether Americans would support a brand new, national identity card issued to every citizen. Just half of people polled say they would view such a card positively, one-third are opposed and 17 percent are undecided.
In addition, Americans were asked for their opinions on the potential consequences of biometric technology programs, including government misuse of information and reliability of the technology. The most widely cited concern (75 percent) is the potentially high cost of implementing a biometric program. People also believe (71 percent) that criminals will find a way around the technology, although nearly seven in 10 Americans (69 percent) think that identity thieves would have a harder time plying their craft.
"We are in the business of understanding and responding to the public's needs and concerns when it comes to privacy," said Fran Maier, executive director of TRUSTe. "Biometric technology is clearly ahead of public opinion, as the potential benefits and risks are still not well understood. A sizeable number of people don't yet have enough information to form opinions on key issues," continued Maier.
"Before biometric IDs become the norm in public and private use, we need to have thoughtful consideration of what constitutes public and private information, as well as the various methods for protecting that information."
The survey revealed other telling numbers illustrating the public's perception and position on biometrics and ID issues, including:
- Nearly three-quarters claim to have heard of biometrics
- Two in 10 do not trust the technology, four in 10 have varying degrees of confidence in it and almost as many are undecided
- Only 8 percent register an unfavorable opinion of biometrics-protected passports
- Supporters of a new national ID card are more than twice as likely as opponents to believe that biometrics would impede terrorists' ability to operate in the U.S.
- Of those who are against the introduction of a new national ID card, 80 percent fear there is high potential for government misuse of information
