New Laws Allow Digital ID for Age Verification in England and Wales

Pubs, shops, and other licensed businesses in England and Wales can now accept digital ID apps as valid proof of age for alcohol purchases. The statutory updates to the licensing act took effect on Tuesday. Under the new rules, customers may use third party software such as Yoti or Luciditi to verify their age via their mobile phones. These apps typically require a biometric authentication process, such as a face scan, to generate a time limited QR code that prevents users from sharing IDs with others.

Digital Government Minister Stephanie Peacock stated that the change allows customers to prove their age without carrying physical documents or sharing sensitive personal information like home addresses. The government intends to eventually extend this digital verification to the sale of tobacco and vaping products. While the law gives digital ID equivalence to physical ID, meaning businesses are not legally required to continue accepting physical documents, the government expects most establishments to do so to avoid excluding customers.

Industry representatives and critics have offered differing views on the rollout. Allen Simpson, chief executive of UKHospitality, called the move a positive step for the sector, though he noted the need to ensure the system remains cost efficient for businesses. Conversely, digital rights campaigners, including Jasleen Chaggar of Big Brother Watch, warned that the system could exclude millions of people who lack digital skills or have privacy concerns if digital ID becomes effectively mandatory.

The implementation follows the cancellation of a broader national digital ID project by Prime Minister Andy Burnham, which had been formulated under his predecessor, Sir Keir Starmer. The current scheme is voluntary and technology agnostic, meaning the government is not dictating the specific design of each app. Officials anticipate that widespread adoption will take time, and they have asked developers to ensure systems are interoperable and capable of working offline.