Retailers will soon be accepting digital ID for sales of alcohol, according to various reports.

UK ministers are said to be preparing to change the law on digital IDs to confirm customers are of legal age to buy alcohol in shops and bars.

The rollout of government-issued and private digital IDs is yet to be determined in the Data (Use and Access) Bill, currently before parliament. Officials have insisted having a digital ID will not be compulsory.  

If passed, users will be able apply for one via digital ID companies that are certified against government-set standards for security and reliability. They will then be able to use the app on their smartphone to prove they are over 18 when visiting shops, pubs, and restaurants.

Digital ID for alcohol sales coming soon

The move is part of an effort to move “more state functions” to online so people can prove their identity for tax payments, opening a bank account and more, according to The Telegraph.

If successful, the newspaper reported, the first step will be to give landlords and retailers the ability to scan digital identities to verify a customer’s age without unnecessarily disclosing personal information such as their name or address, as is the case with driving licences.

The change will involve a quick check – like scanning a QR code or using technology similar to contactless bank cards.

It has also been reported that digital IDs will likely be integrated into shops’ check-out scanning systems, ending delays for customers and staff when ID has to be checked by an attendant.

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