The United Kingdom Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) published a video of a pubgoer verifying his age on his phone with digital ID.

“Ordering a pint under 25 can be hard, Searching your wallet to find your ID card; But next year, with new laws ‘cross the land, You can prove your age with the phone in your hand. So it’s Christmas! Raise your glass with a smile! Want to know more? Here’s @PeterKyle,” DSIT wrote.

Peter Kyle is the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology and a member of parliament for Hove & Portslade.

“We’re changing the law so that next Christmas young people will have that ID on their phone. So, they won’t have all of the hassle of needing to get ID, or leaving their ID at home, or their paper ID getting lost or damaged,” Kyle said in the video.

“There’s already 50 digital apps like this one. But what it means is that bar staff can scan to prove someone’s identity and it doesn’t give away any personal information,” he continued.

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“Next year, new laws will let you prove your identity using digital ID apps on your phone in pubs, clubs, bars & restaurants across England & Wales. So no fishing in your wallet for your ID, less risk of losing it & only sharing the details needed to verify,” DSIT wrote.

“Using a phone to show your ID will be completely voluntary. Digital identification services are already provided by a number of companies. These providers will be independently certified against government standards,” it added.

X users reacted to the video:

Per GOV.UK:

Christmas celebrations are set to get a digital upgrade next year, as the UK government plans to roll out a new law allowing pub and bar-goers, as well as shoppers, to use their phones to prove their age when buying alcohol, should they wish to do so. People can continue to use physical forms of ID if they prefer.

Digital identities could slash waiting times at bars and help avoid hold-ups at automated tills, allowing landlords to serve thirsty customers more quickly and easing frustrations for high street shoppers, with digital IDs set to drive economic growth that will ultimately put more money in people’s pockets as part of our Plan for Change.

The legal changes will also mean that, by the time festive cheer fills the air again, carrying a bulky wallet to your favourite high street pub or risking losing valuable documents could be a thing of Christmas past. It also means that women will be safer on nights out, as they won’t have to show their driving license which risks revealing their address to bad actors.

Under the new system, people will be able to present secure digital identities as proof of age when buying alcohol, if they choose to. These digital identities, already provided by a host of companies, will have to be independently certified against government standards.

New insight, published today, reveals that companies providing these services generated £2.05 billion in 2023/2024, and employed over 10,000 people – half of which were outside London.

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Productivity in the sector is also 42% higher than average levels across the economy, with each employee generating almost £80,000 of “gross value added” to the UK economy – with further support, such as these legal changes, expected to bolster this further.

Existing measures proposed in the Data (Use and Access) Bill will support the sector to boost the UK economy by £4.3 billion over the next decade.

YouTube backup of the video:

 

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