Apple Face ID could boost biometrics awareness (AAPL)

Awareness of Biometrics

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At its September event on Tuesday, Apple introduced Face ID, a facial recognition feature that replaces the Touch ID fingerprint sensor on the iPhone. Face ID can be used to unlock the iPhone and to authenticate payments on Apple Pay.

Apple’s Face ID is just the latest use of biometric security, which scans a user's face, voice, fingerprint or behavior to verify identity.

However, consumers in the US, UK, and Canada appear to be averse to the technology, accordingto a study by Paysafe. In fact, just 15% of respondents said that biometrics are the future. Here’s why:

Consumer awareness of the tech is lacking. Forty percent of the consumers surveyed by Paysafe said that biometric solutions are too risky and unknown for them to use. Greater awareness of how the tech works as well as its validity could help circumvent these concerns.
There’s distrust over biometric tech’s ability to protect users’ security and privacy. Twenty-one percent of consumers have concerns about security and privacy. Considering the primary use case of biometrics, a lack of trust will inhibit adoption and usage.
There's a gap between consumers' knowledge of using biometrics to verify identity and adoption of the tech. About 30% of consumers studied are unaware of using biometrics to verify one’s identify. And 55% of consumers have heard of it, but haven't used it.

Apple’s introduction of facial recognition to verify one’s identity could help bring the technology to the mainstream. As more everyday devices incorporate the tech, consumers will become more accustomed to it. Eventually, it's probable that consumers will view biometric technology as a conventional identification process, spurring greater adoption of the technology.

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