Security over speed: Why users embrace biometric ID

In an age of constant digital interaction, the threat of identity fraud looms larger than ever. Businesses and their customers are locked in a continuous battle against bad actors. A recent study, however, reveals a significant shift in consumer mindset: people are now willing to spend more time on verification if it means stronger security. This move away from instant gratification towards deliberate, secure onboarding is changing how we think about online identity.

The trade-off: invest a little time, earn a lot of trust

Security is now a selling point. In Veriff’s 2025 Identity Fraud Index (survey of 1,000 consumers across North America and Europe), 3 in 4 people say they look at a company’s fraud-prevention track record before signing up. That awareness is changing behavior:

• 64% are willing to complete a slightly longer sign-up (ID document + selfie biometrics) in exchange for stronger data protection.
  
• 52% are comfortable using official IDs and face biometrics to prove who they are online.
  

In other words, a bit of initial friction is no longer a deal-breaker—it’s a trust signal.

Biometrics are winning the confidence game

When asked which method feels most secure for creating an account, consumers clearly favor modern, identity-bound controls:

• Biometrics: 39%
  
• One-Time Passwords (OTPs): 21%
  
• Passwords: 14%
  

Passwords are easily stolen and OTPs can be intercepted. Biometrics anchor access to a unique person—so they’re increasingly viewed as the gold standard for verification.

Why this shift is happening now

Veriff’s 2025 Identity Fraud Report shows the stakes are rising:

• 5% of all verification attempts in 2024 were fraudulent, and overall online fraud rose 21% year-over-year.
  
• Impersonation remains the dominant tactic, responsible for >82% of detected fraud attempts.
  
• Adversary-in-the-middle (AitM) scams—often coercing real users or intercepting sessions—grew 46% year-over-year.

As attacks expand and evolve (emulator, injection, and deepfake-assisted fraud), users intuitively prefer defenses that are harder to fake—and businesses are responding with multi-layered controls.

What “good friction” looks like

Trust-forward onboarding combines speed with rigor:

• Document intelligence backed by a specimen database of ~12,000 government IDs
  
• Biometric checks (including liveness) to ensure a real, present person
  
• Device, network, and behavior signals to catch manipulation at the edges
  
• Network effects across industries to spot emerging patterns in near-real time
  

The bottom line: Consumers will spend a few extra seconds if it clearly protects their accounts. Thoughtful verification isn’t just tolerated—it’s expected of trustworthy platforms.

Get the Biometric Authentication Buyer’s Guide

Learn how to safeguard your users, prevent fraud & leverage facial biometrics

Discover how to safeguard your users, prevent fraudulent activities, and leverage the power of facial biometrics for enhanced security and seamless user experiences.

Read the Guide

Biometric adoption across industries

This consumer trend is mirrored by a growing number of companies integrating biometric solutions to secure their platforms and build user trust. From online gaming to complex financial trading, the applications are diverse and effective.

Securing online communities

Many digital platforms are using biometrics to create safer spaces for their users. By combining document verification, facial biometrics, and liveness detection, these systems help ensure that every user is who they claim to be. This not only reduces fraud but also fosters trust and inclusivity, allowing communities to thrive with confidence.

Fighting fraud in Web3 and crypto

The decentralized world of Web3 faces unique challenges, particularly from “Sybil attacks,” where a single entity creates numerous fake identities to manipulate a network. To combat this, crypto network Humanode has integrated its BotBasher technology into Mintlayer’s Discord community. This system uses biometric verification to link each Discord account to a real person, preventing users from creating duplicate accounts and destabilizing the ecosystem. Similarly, companies like Coti and SelfKey DAO are using biometrics to enable secure decentralized identity (DID) and Know Your Customer (KYC) processes.

Streamlining onboarding in fintech

In the competitive financial services industry, fast and frictionless onboarding is essential — but it can’t come at the expense of security. Many fintech providers are turning to biometric verification to automate identity checks, boost document approval rates, and reduce manual reviews. This approach not only improves the customer experience but also helps prevent fraud and directly supports revenue growth by allowing legitimate users to start transacting sooner.

Building trust in vacation rentals

This trend is especially evident in industries like vacation rentals, where anonymity and online transactions can invite significant risks for both renters and hosts. Platforms face challenges ranging from fake listings and account takeovers to unauthorized parties and criminal activity. Biometrics have emerged as a powerful solution, enabling platforms to quickly confirm identities, verify documentation authenticity, and even screen for past criminal activity — all without relying on easily compromised passwords or time-consuming manual checks. This level of security helps maintain user trust and encourages continued platform adoption.

What this means for the future

The growing willingness to accept more rigorous verification for better security signals a major shift for both businesses and consumers. For organizations, investing in robust identity verification is not just about compliance, it’s a strategic move that builds trust and creates a competitive advantage. Consumers are increasingly seeking platforms that go the extra mile to protect their identity, rewarding those companies with loyalty and continued engagement.

In a digital world where trust is the ultimate currency, proving your identity online should be as intuitive and secure as a handshake. Biometric verification is that handshake. It goes beyond passwords and codes to create a secure foundation for online relationships, allowing businesses and users to connect with confidence and combatting fraud at its source.

– Kaarel Kotkas Founder, CEO of Veriff

The benefits of biometric verification extend beyond fraud prevention. Unlike traditional methods, biometrics leverage unique physical attributes that can’t be lost or stolen, enable seamless onboarding, and support liveness detection to guard against deepfakes and other modern threats. This not only enhances security but also simplifies the user experience—a win-win that drives greater acceptance across travel, finance, and other high-stakes sectors.

However, as highlighted in recent industry analysis, the rapid advancement of biometric technology often outpaces both policy development and practical implementation. While biometric accuracy continues to improve—through innovations in fingerprint matching, facial recognition, and contactless solutions—there remain challenges in regulatory alignment, digital ID rollouts, and public acceptance. For example, government-led digital ID programs in various regions have faced setbacks due to budgetary limits or public concern over privacy and potential overreach.

These gaps between technological capability and policy readiness can sometimes spark public pushback or invite scrutiny regarding data protection and civil liberties. At the same time, demand for more flexible, scalable digital ID solutions is growing, evidenced by initiatives leveraging mobile driver’s licenses and decentralized systems.

For consumers, this means that while biometric adoption offers greater security and convenience, it also brings new questions about data usage and regulation. Being informed about how your biometric data is collected, stored, and used is vital in choosing whom to trust online. In sectors like vacation rentals, where trust is the cornerstone of the entire platform ecosystem, advanced verification techniques not only prevent fraud but foster safer, more reliable experiences for all parties.

Ultimately, while the movement toward biometric verification points us toward a safer digital future, real progress will depend on thoughtful policy, transparent practices, and ongoing education. By embracing both technological and regulatory innovation, and by prioritizing trust and security in user experiences, we can build digital ecosystems where convenience and privacy go hand in hand.