62% expect biometric payments but only 37% trust companies to protect data

LONDON, Sept. 1, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- As security leaders convene for Identity Week America, a new survey from Aevi reveals a significant gap between American expectations for biometric payments and their trust in companies handling such sensitive data. The findings suggest that while 62% of Americans anticipate biometric payments becoming a common method of payment, only 37% are confident that companies will adequately protect their biometric information.

In a comprehensive survey of over 3,000 adults across the United States and the United Kingdom, Aevi uncovered several key insights. Americans are increasingly familiar with biometric payments, with only 30% now unfamiliar with the technology, down from 46% in a previous study. However, despite this growing awareness, privacy concerns are high, with 58% to 66% of all US age groups expressing worry about privacy and data misuse.

Moreover, generational divides in trust are significant. Just 30% of Americans aged 18 to 24 trust companies with their biometric data, while 40% actively distrust them. In contrast, 55% of Americans over 65 remain unfamiliar with the technology, indicating a gap in adoption.

Privacy concerns are not limited to younger generations. Between 40% and 47% of Americans fear government access or surveillance, which is nearly double the 23% to 37% range in the UK. This suggests that Americans are more wary of potential misuse of biometric data than their counterparts in the UK.

The survey also gathered thousands of qualitative, open-text responses, revealing that trust is a critical issue. One American respondent noted, "Our government has proven time and time again how it cannot be trusted. On a business level, corporations have also proven time and time again they can't be trusted." Another respondent bluntly stated, "Companies need to be more trustworthy. They sell data way too willingly."

Mike Camerling, CEO of Aevi, commented, "As we've seen across our more recent consumer research, whether it's about agentic commerce to digital currencies in in-person payments, control and trust remain consistent pressure points. Biometrics lands firmly within that same pattern. The technology itself might not be the barrier, but how it's understood clearly is, how transparently it operates, and how much control people feel they retain."

Aevi's report, titled "Biometric Payments and Consumer Trust," delves into how trust, control, and transparency will shape the future of in-person payments. The findings highlight that while biometric payments are on the horizon, widespread adoption will depend on addressing public concerns and building trust.