UK ministers are preparing to change the law on digital IDs to confirm customers are over the minimum age to buy alcohol in bars or stores.
A proposal that the former prime minister, Tony Blair, tried to bring to fruition, this time digital IDs are planned to keep up with the digital age rather than to curb “immigration”, which was widely criticised as the wrong approach.
Customers will be able to wave their digital ID on their smartphones at bars or shops.
The rollout of government-issued and private digital IDs supports the move towards people embracing digital means of proving their identity for services including making a bank transfer or paying tax. The initiative will be voluntary and still cater for people who choose to use a physical ID over a digital ID.
For most of the population, the change will be embraced utilising a “single sign-on” process rather than two-step identity verification. The UK will be looking to keep up with digitally advanced nations, for example, Estonia, which has introduced a state-issued e-ID with a focus on its liberties for citizens and reduced bureaucratic processes.
The UK will follow suit making it much easier to access commercial and government services. Retailers and hospitality venues will be granted powers to scan digital IDs at the point of purchase without disclosing the customers’ personal information. Next year there are plans to implement QR code readers and scanning technologies.
