Do we even have a big issue with underage drinking anymore? I see loads of articles about kids now not drinking as much as older generations, how many are getting drinks in proper venues vs house parties? Looks like the government with a solution in need of a problem to me.
Digital IDs to buy alcohol by the end of the year – here’s how it could work
Submitted 1 day ago by thehatfox@lemmy.world to unitedkingdom@feddit.uk
https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/digital-ids-buy-booze-3975501
Comments
DrCake@lemmy.world 1 day ago
mannycalavera@feddit.uk 1 day ago
Cue comments about the government monitoring your drinking habits.
Oi m8, u got a license for that drink?
9point6@lemmy.world 1 day ago
Of course the, now owned by the daily mail group, i uses a sensationalist headline to imply that the ID will be required for this
Rather than another option for people who have to carry a physical ID for age check purposes already
lowleekun@ani.social 1 day ago
As long as it stays optional
sirico@feddit.uk 1 day ago
Terrible source btw: Here’s the content for anyone who doesn’t want to create an account or risk a subscription commitment.
By the end of 2025, people in the UK will be able to prove their age when buying alcohol using a digital ID on their phone – the first stage in a broader plan to bring identity checks into the digital age. But beyond this seemingly narrow pilot lies a more sweeping and controversial ambition: the Government intends to introduce a mandatory digital identity scheme (dubbed the “BritCard”) that would require all workers to hold a government-approved digital ID to prove their right to work. The Government says the initial change will make age verification faster and safer, cutting the need to carry passports or driving licences on nights out. But critics warn that the pilot is a trojan horse for a system that could normalise invasive identity checks across many areas of life. ADVERTISEMENT Putin’s Endgame Perspectives – 14 October Gaza Peace Summit – 14 October Smacking Celebrities – 14 October Ian Watkins Charges – 13 October Ukraine Tomahawk Missiles – 13 October How will digital IDs work for buying alcohol? Revellers will soon be able to confirm they are over 18 by tapping their phone or scanning a QR code – similar to using Apple Pay or Google Pay. Instead of showing a physical document, people will use a digital credential stored securely on their smartphone. The system will confirm that they meet the age requirement without disclosing extra personal details such as date of birth or address. The Home Office says the technology will be at least as secure as current checks, using encryption and biometric authentication – such as facial recognition or fingerprint scans – to prevent misuse. But privacy advocates, including Big Brother Watch, have noted that biometric systems are themselves vulnerable to attacks and misuse, and once infrastructure is deployed, “function creep” can lead to additional data demands later. ADVERTISEMENT Ministers plan to amend the Licensing Act later this year to recognise digital proof of age, allowing pubs, shops and venues to accept approved digital IDs from December. How is this different from the main digital ID scheme? The alcohol-age pilot is a narrow rollout focused solely on age verification. It will use existing commercial identity services that have been approved by government regulators. The national digital ID programme, announced in September, will go much further. It will act as an official digital counterpart to documents such as passports and driving licences, designed for tasks like right-to-work checks, opening bank accounts and accessing public services. Crucially, use of the digital ID for employment checks is expected to be made mandatory under the scheme in order to clamp down on migration and shadow economy working. In practice, the alcohol ID is an early use case – a contained experiment within the broader digital identity system. The two schemes will eventually converge through a government-developed app that stores multiple credentials in one secure “digital wallet”. Users will be able to keep verified versions of various documents – from driving licences to disability badges – in one place. What role is Google playing? Google is preparing to launch its own version of a digital ID in the UK, building on its Android Wallet system. ADVERTISEMENT British users will soon be able to upload a verified digital copy of their passport to Google Wallet. The first use will be to confirm eligibility for rail discounts such as the 16-25 and 26-30 railcards, through a partnership with the Rail Delivery Group. “Residents of the United Kingdom will soon be able to create digital ID passes with their U.K. passports and securely and conveniently store them in Google Wallet,” the company said. Google has said it wants these digital IDs to be accepted in more settings once they meet government standards, including for age verification at bars or shops. Jacqueline Starr, chief executive of the Rail Delivery Group, said the partnership was “one of a number of ways the rail industry is harnessing technology to improve customer experience”. To add a passport, users will scan their document, take a short video selfie for verification, and wait for confirmation before the digital ID appears alongside payment cards in the app. What is the government’s own app for? Alongside private providers, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) is building an official digital wallet that will hold certified credentials directly from government sources. Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said the move would mean “pub-goers no longer need to carry a wallet”. The app will begin with veteran cards, before expanding to include driving licences by the end of the year. ADVERTISEMENT By 2027, it is expected to include a wider range of documents such as Blue Badges, benefits letters and criminal record checks. Kyle said: “By next Christmas, you won’t need to carry a wallet or risk losing important documents like your passport or driver’s licence when heading out to celebrate. With a certified digital identity on your phone, you can raise a glass in your local pub without hassle.” How will it affect pubs and retailers? Hospitality leaders have largely welcomed the change, saying it could ease queues and reduce the risk of customers losing ID documents. Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UK Hospitality, said digital ID “can make life easier for both consumers and businesses” and modernise the licensing system. James Hawkins, of the British Beer and Pub Association, said it would “bring the Licensing Act in line with current technology” and “reduce the risk of customers losing key ID documents when enjoying a night out”. A public register of approved digital ID providers will be published later this year so that landlords and retailers know which apps they can accept. Officials say the change could also improve privacy and safety, particularly for women who will no longer need to show a driving licence revealing their address. ADVERTISEMENT Has Tony Blair’s son been given the contract? No. Viral social media posts have falsely claimed that Multiverse – the company founded by Euan Blair, son of former Prime Minister Tony Blair – has been chosen to run the government’s digital ID scheme. Both the Government and Multiverse have denied this. The company told Full Fact there is “no truth” to the claims, while DSIT also said they are false. Multiverse is an education and training firm, not a software developer, and has no involvement in building the scheme. Why is this happening now? Digital ID is seen as a key part of the Government’s wider plan to modernise the economy and reduce fraud. The UK’s digital identity sector generated about £2bn in revenue last year and employs more than 10,000 people – roughly half of them outside London. Officials estimate that the expansion of digital ID could add £4bn to the economy over the next decade. The alcohol-age scheme will act as a public test before the broader rollout of government-backed digital credentials. Read Next How the UK’s digital ID plan compares to the rest of the world square NEWS How the UK’s digital ID plan compares to the rest of the world Read More Supporters say it will make everyday transactions simpler and safer, while critics warn it could normalise identity checks in areas of life where they are not currently required. Among the strongest criticisms are the risks of mass surveillance, increased exclusion of vulnerable populations, centralised attack vulnerability, and the undermining of anonymity in everyday transactions. Already, a petition against mandatory digital ID has gathered nearly 2.9 million signatures, claiming the scheme amounts to “digital control” and threatens civil liberties. ADVERTISEMENT Either way, by the end of next year, the sight of someone tapping their phone to buy a pint could be as ordinary as paying for one.