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England and Wales pubs to accept digital ID apps for age verification
Key points
- Digital ID apps are now accepted for age verification in England and Wales.
- Customers can use approved apps from suppliers like Post Office, Yoti, and Luciditi.
- The system is voluntary and designed to be technology-agnostic.
- Apps will use features like facial recognition and time-limited QR codes.
New Digital Age Verification Rules
As of Tuesday, pubs and shops across England and Wales are permitted to accept digital ID applications on mobile phones as proof of age. This new option supplements existing physical identification methods, providing an alternative for customers and staff during age-restricted purchases.
How Digital IDs Will Work
Customers will select from a list of government-approved digital ID app suppliers, including the Post Office, Yoti, and Luciditi. The system is designed to be technology-agnostic, allowing various app implementations. For instance, Yoti's app uses facial recognition to match the user with their registered identity and generates a time-limited QR code for businesses to scan, displaying only the customer's age.
The government states that this voluntary scheme will allow individuals to share fewer personal details compared to handing over physical documents, potentially by tapping a phone on a reader or displaying a scannable QR code.
Security and Accessibility Considerations
Digital ID apps must incorporate measures to prevent misuse, such as borrowing devices from older individuals. Features like facial recognition are intended to ensure the ID belongs to the person using it. The government also intends for these apps to be interoperable across different venues and function offline, ensuring accessibility even without mobile data or Wi-Fi.
Digital government minister Stephanie Peacock highlighted that the digital ID option removes the need to carry physical identification and reduces the sharing of sensitive personal information.
Industry Reception and Future Expansion
UKHospitality chief executive Allen Simpson described the new rules as a "positive step" and indicated the industry would collaborate with the government to ensure a smooth and cost-efficient rollout. There is a possibility that the digital proof of age scheme could be expanded in the future to include age verification for tobacco and vapes.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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Reporting from
Pubs and shops in England and Wales can now accept digital ID apps on phones for age verification, alongside physical IDs. This change aims to make age checks quicker and more secure, with customers using government-approved apps from suppliers like Post Office, Yoti, or Luciditi.