PETALING JAYA: More Malaysians are willing to provide biometric information to allow automated boarding gates to confirm their identities when taking flights, according to the latest Unisys Security Index survey.

The survey reported that following the MH370 incident, 77% of Malaysians were willing to provide biometric information such as fingerprints or photographs for security checks.

However, in contrast, a majority of Malaysians did not support the use of a biometric-based programme to expedite immigration checks and they were even less supportive of airport retailers using biometrics to make customised sales offers.

“These findings reveal that despite the people’s willingness to apply stringent forms of identity verification at airport security check points, Malaysians are resistant to fast-tracking immigration processing lanes,” said Unisys Asia-Pacific security programme director John Kendall.

Kendall said the results were reflective of the heightened concerns of airport security after investigations into the missing MH370 highlighted the issue of passengers travelling on stolen or false passports.

The Unisys Security Index is an annual study that provides insight into the attitudes of consumers on a wide range of issues related to national, personal, financial and Internet security.

In Peninsular Malaysia, 946 adults were interviewed in the survey between March 14 and 27. For full details of the survey for Malaysia, go to www.unisyssecurityindex.com.my.