Pubs in England and Wales to allow digital ID apps to prove age

Starting Tuesday, alcohol buyers in England and Wales will have the option of using a digital ID app on their smartphones to prove their age. Pubs and shops can utilize this technology alongside existing physical forms of identification, with the government asserting that a digital approach will expedite and enhance the security of age verification for both customers and staff.

Customers will be able to select from a variety of approved digital ID suppliers, such as the Post Office, Yoti, or Luciditi, as long as they appear on a government-approved list. This adjustment means businesses will no longer be obligated to accept physical ID, although most establishments are expected to comply. The government's plan is technology-neutral, meaning it does not specify how each app must function.

The government argues that under the voluntary digital ID scheme, patrons would disclose fewer personal details, such as tapping their phone on a reader or displaying a scannable QR code instead of presenting a physical document. Additionally, these apps must prevent customers from borrowing devices from older friends or relatives and ensure the ID app belongs to the individual using it.

Yoti's digital ID app, for instance, will only grant access if a scan of the user's face matches the one registered during sign-up. The app then creates a QR code that can be scanned by a business using a free checker app, which confirms the person's age. This code is time-sensitive to deter duplication or sharing. Digital government minister Stephanie Peacock stated that digital ID provides an option for customers to avoid carrying physical ID or disclosing sensitive personal information, potentially making them feel more secure on a night out.

Allen Simpson, CEO of trade body UKHospitality, welcomed the new rules as a "positive step," emphasizing that the hospitality sector would collaborate with the government to ensure the scheme's implementation is not burdensome. This includes securing multiple supplier options and cost-efficiency. The government aims to ensure digital ID apps work together so customers won't need different apps for various venues.

They also want the services to function offline and remain accessible even without mobile data or Wi-Fi. The digital proof of age scheme could potentially expand to cover tobacco and vapes in the future. However, digital rights campaigners have raised concerns that such measures could result in the exclusion of certain groups. Jasleen Chaggar of Big Brother Watch argued that while having multiple ways to prove identity is beneficial, the government should ensure digital ID is not effectively mandatory, as it would exclude millions of people.

Chaggar noted that many individuals have valid reasons for relying on physical ID, including personal choice, privacy, security concerns, or lack of digital skills or resources. The government should explicitly prohibit businesses from requiring digital IDs for age checks without providing reasonable alternatives. The new rules follow a previous digital ID program proposed by former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, which was later abandoned by Andy Burnham.