There are a handful of drivers for adding biometric technology to mobile devices, says Alan Goode, founder of Goode Intelligence and author of “Mobile Phone Biometric Security Analysis and Forecasts 2011-2015.” Many mobile phones are easy to break into, enterprises are enabling users to use their own mobile phones and NFC payments may require additional security. Goode predicts that mobile phone biometric security products and services generated more than $30 million in 2011 and that the market will grow to over $161 million in revenue by 2015.

When buying a six-pack of beer it makes sense that an individual confirms that they are at least 21-years-old. But when the consumer shows a clerk the government-issued ID they are giving up address, date of birth and other information as well. In a perfect world the clerk would only see the age.