London: Digital ID can now be accepted as proof of age by pubs and shops selling alcohol in England and Wales, following changes to the Licensing Act that came into force.
The new system is expected to take some time to become widely accepted, as businesses will need to adopt digital ID services and decide whether they want to use them.
Digital identification can be provided through third-party applications such as Yoti, which is already used for age verification in other situations, including cinema ticket purchases.
Customers using a digital ID when buying alcohol will have to complete an authentication process each time they make a purchase. Depending on the system being used, this could involve scanning their face or entering a PIN.
In some cases, a photograph of the customer will be sent to the bartender or staff member behind the till so they can confirm the buyer’s identity. After authentication, the application generates a QR code that is valid for about 30 seconds. The code can then be scanned to allow the alcohol sale to proceed.
Physical forms of identification, including driving licences, will continue to be accepted by businesses, meaning customers will still be able to use traditional proof of age. The government hopes the digital ID system could eventually be expanded to cover other age-restricted products, including vapes and tobacco.
Stephanie Peacock MP, Minister at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, said both businesses and individuals would be able to decide whether to use or accept digital IDs.
The Minister highlighted the potential benefits of the system, including allowing people to prove their age without having to “hand over sensitive personal information such as your name or address.”
The change has also been welcomed by the hospitality industry.
Allen Simpson, head of industry group UKHospitality, stated that the new system would provide “greater flexibility and convenience for customers and businesses.”
“We look forward to working with the government to ensure the roll-out of the scheme, with multiple supplier options available, is cost-efficient and not burdensome for the hospitality sector,” Simpson added.
The introduction of digital proof of age for alcohol purchases is separate from broader plans for a national digital ID system. Plans for a wider digital ID scheme proposed under Sir Keir Starmer’s government have since been scrapped by Andy Burnham.
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