The UK government is to bring in a new law that will allow young adults to use a digital ID stored on their mobile phone to prove their age when buying alcohol in a pub, bar or store. “By next Christmas, you won’t need to carry a wallet or risk losing important documents like your passport or driving licence when heading out to celebrate,” Technology Secretary Peter Kyle says.”
“With a certified digital identity on your phone, you can raise a glass in your local pub without hassle – a merry step forward in making age verification safer, easier, and more convenient for everyone.”
The new law will make it possible for landlords and retailers “to scan digital identities to verify a customer’s age without customers unnecessarily disclosing personal information like their name or address, as is often the case with driving licences,” the UK’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology explains.
“When a digital identity is presented in person, a quick programmatic check — like scanning a QR code or using NFC, the technology behind contactless bank cards which people use every day — will ensure everything is seamless and hassle free.”
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