Biometrics,
such as fingerprint ID technology, would solve some security problems for
college and university campuses. Without having to remember passwords or carry
an ID or payment card, students could log into campus systems, access their
dorms, and buy course materials at the bookstore, using just their finger.
At least
one expert thinks the retail industry is ready to plunge into biometric tech.
If it’s successful, that may encourage the use of biometrics in more consumer
applications, including higher education. Sebastien Taveau, chief evangelist
for touchpad vendor Synaptics, said smartphones are making fingerprint IDs
easier and more palatable to consumers.
In an interview with the National Retail Federation’s Stores magazine, Taveau said consumers didn’t like the idea of
pressing a fingerprint-sensing pad at retail checkouts. However, “they likely
are going to be more comfortable having the fingerprint validated on their own
smartphone or device so they can control it,” he explained.
That also
means the fingerprint data are stored on the device, not in the retailer’s
network, so the store doesn’t have to worry about hacking.