Our research also highlighted growing consumer confidence in this technology for identification needs. In fact, it has revealed that UK adults are far more comfortable using biometric technology to access their online banking than their social media accounts – twice as much, 64% compared 32%.
Although there appears to be some reservations about retina scanning, nearly one in five (19%) would still be comfortable having their ID verified in this way. Similarly, nearly one in ten people (9%) would be comfortable with camera facial recognition as a form of identification, while one in twenty (5%) stating they would be happy using voice recognition technology to unlock their online accounts.
Who is most likely to use biometric technology?
Overall, women are slightly less trusting of biometric technology, with 56% saying they believe it is just as secure, or more secure, than passwords, compared to 68% of men. However, they are more comfortable with fingerprint scanning than their male counterparts – 43% compared to 37%.
When it comes to retina scanning, younger users (18-34 year olds) are surprisingly the most sceptical of this form of ID verification, with only 14% saying they would be comfortable using it. Retina scanning is most popular with the older generation, with 22% of over-55s in favour of it.
Two in three trust biometrics for online banking
The customer journey and online user experience is quickly becoming one of the most important considerations for businesses that have an online offering. In the next few years, we will see an increasing use for biometrics – however it also should be used to enhance security that already exists such as passwords, rather than replacing them.
Until then people should use secure, unique passwords for as many online accounts as possible, and ideally all of them. At the very least have a unique password for each type of service provider such as financial services, retails services and email.