Three out of four members of the UK public say they are
in favour of wider biometrics usage to enhance their security. This
is according to the recent Biometrics in Britain Study 2006, from
document and identity security specialists TSSI
Systems.
Some 76% are more in favour of biometrics than they were one
year ago, with personal safety identified as the biggest driver for
the change; and three-quarters of people believing biometrics are
important in combating terrorism.
Biometric adoption in airports received a resounding seal of
approval, where 77 % approved of its use; and almost half approved
of biometrics in Britain's underground tube networks. However,
usage of biometrics in banking and retail was rejected by 59 and 63
per cent, respectively.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, nearly a third – 28% – were opposed to
the creation of a Government biometric database, even if it led to
better crime detection rates.
The public are right to be sceptical with regards any suggestion
of a Government biometric database. After the scandal of
out-of-control DNA checks and unconvincing identity card proposals,
how likely is it that any Government-inspired biometric database
would have public support?