Ict Usage In Covid-19 Times & Specifics of The Biometrics By Age and Gender Lenses

Introduction: Biometrics is an increasingly evolving method of identifying and verifying individuals. Still, it carries a considerable risk of abuse, partially because of the relatively limited knowledge of its mere existence and functionalities among lay social actors. Despite the increasingly massive use in various fields of our daily lives (e.g. unlocking the phone with a fingerprint), we know very little about the ways and motives of use. The current COVID-19 related situation has significantly increased ICT use, as many activities are happening online, from communication, education or goods and services purchase. The crucial question is to what extent older adults use these technologies, what role ICT knowledge plays in their identity-building and quality of life. Methods: The data set includes 2341 respondents, aged 18+, the age group 70+ representing 13% of the sample, collected between April and November 2020 in the Czech Republic. Results: We present preliminary results on the ICT usage, knowledge and attitudes towards biometrics to describe the age and gender differences. The data prove increased frequency of Internet use, but still almost 50 % of people 70+ have no Internet connection. The considerable drop in the frequency of Internet use starts as early as in the cohorts aged 50-59 years. Still one third of the older adults 70+ group owns a smart phone and one fifth uses advanced methods of identification when using the phone. There are much smaller differences in “expert” (more-than-just-user) knowledge of biometrics, esp. in men.