Travelers will give up biometrics for expedited access
25 June, 2014
category: Biometrics, Government
Using biometrics for expedited access to security lines and border crossings isn’t a new trend and 89% of travelers from six countries would be willing to give up biometric data to cross borders, according to a survey from Accenture. However, 69% of the 3,000 survey respondents say they have not shared any biometric information to date.
Survey respondents — from Australia, France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States — believe biometrics can play an important role in facilitating expedited access and more secure travel while protecting borders. When asked about the specific benefits of sharing biometrics 62% of those surveyed are willing to share biometric information to make their country’s borders more secure, speed up customs and border control processing – 58% and some 56% to make travel more convenient.
More than half – 58% — of those surveyed said they would share their biometric details to enable participation in Registered Traveler Programs that enable pre-registered passengers to have expedited access and easier processing through customs and border control.
The U.S. has had its PreCheck program in place since late 2011. Travelers submit to a background check, including fingerprints, and are given expedited screening at 118 airports and most major airlines. Along with quicker screening PreCheck members don’t have to remove jackets, shoes, belts or liquids from carry-ons.
The survey also found that 71% of citizens support the use of biometrics to verify the identities of all persons crossing borders and 73% say that using biometrics to verify the identity of everyone crossing the border would make countries more secure.
When asked about the use of automated border clearance solutions, such as e-gates at airports and border crossings, 23% of respondents said they had used an e-gate in the past. However, of those who have used an e-gate, the majority said they would do so again if they had the option, and 85% of e-gate users found them faster than manual border clearance checkpoints managed by a border patrol officer.
U.S. findings:
- 87% of respondents were willing to share biometric details with border agencies for expedited access to facilitate travel. However, only 19% say they have shared any biometric information to date
- 65% say they would be likely to share biometrics if it meant making the country’s borders more secure
- Some 61% say they would be likely to share their biometrics to secure faster processing through customs and border control and 59% would be willing to achieve more convenient travel
- Only 15% say they have used an e-gate at an airport, but 54% say they would use an e-gate, if given an option
- Some 64% say they are likely to participate in a registered travel program, even if that required submitting biometric information to participate.