Public Perceptions, Preferences and Legal Aspects towards ATMs with Biometric Authentication in Austria

This article presents the results of a research project designed to investigate (1) the general attitudes and acceptance of the Austrian public towards biometrics in general, (2) towards ATMs with biometric authentication technology, (3) the kind of biometry they prefer for this kind of application, (4) motivational factors and hindrances concerning a potential roll-out of biometric ATMs in Austria and (5) gives legal background information regarding the employment of biometrics in ATMs and the processing of the biometric data. The data used as a basis was provided by a quantitative online survey (n=706). Results indicate that while a (large) minority is opposed to the concept of ATMs with biometrics (28%), an even larger share was positively inclined towards the concept. However, there was no strong preference for a single biometrical approach towards ATMs in the Austrian populace.