New Digital ID Apps Approved for Age Verification in Pubs and Shops in England and Wales

Alcohol buyers in England and Wales will be able to use digital ID apps on their phones to verify their age under new regulations introduced on September 14, 2026. Pubs and shops can utilize this technology alongside existing physical forms of ID, with the government stating that the digital option will expedite age checks and enhance security for both customers and staff. Customers can select ID apps from various suppliers, including the Post Office, Yoti, or Luciditi, as long as they are on a government-approved list. While businesses will not be mandated to accept physical ID, the government suggests that most establishments will continue to do so. The initiative is designed to be technology-agnostic, meaning the government will not specify how each app should function. The government argues that the voluntary digital ID scheme will allow drinkers to share fewer personal details with venues, such as by tapping their phone on a reader or displaying a scannable QR code instead of handing over an official document. The apps will also need to prevent customers from using devices borrowed from older friends or relatives, ensuring that the ID app belongs to the individual using it. For instance, Yoti's digital ID app requires a facial scan to match the individual who registered for the app before generating a QR code that businesses can scan with a free checker app to verify age. This QR code will be time-limited to reduce the chances of duplication or sharing. Digital government minister Stephanie Peacock stated that the option for digital ID would eliminate the need to carry physical ID and reduce the sharing of sensitive personal information, allowing individuals to feel safer during nights out. Allen Simpson, chief executive of trade body UKHospitality, described the new rules as a positive development and noted that the industry would collaborate with the government to ensure that the scheme's implementation is not burdensome for the hospitality sector. This collaboration will include providing multiple supplier options and ensuring cost efficiency. The government aims for the digital ID apps to be compatible with each other, so customers do not need to use different apps at various venues, and it seeks to ensure that the services can function offline, even without mobile data or Wi-Fi. In the future, the digital proof of age scheme may be expanded to include tobacco and vaping products. However, digital rights advocates have raised concerns that such measures could exclude certain groups. Jasleen Chaggar of Big Brother Watch emphasized that while multiple identity verification methods are beneficial, the government should ensure that digital ID does not become effectively mandatory, as this could marginalize millions of individuals. She highlighted that many people have valid reasons for relying on physical ID, including privacy and security concerns or a lack of digital skills or resources. Chaggar urged the government to explicitly prohibit businesses from requiring digital IDs for age verification without providing reasonable alternatives. These new regulations follow a previously controversial digital ID program promoted by former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, which was later abandoned by Andy Burnham.