England and Wales allow digital ID apps for age verification at pubs and shops
Starting Tuesday, pubs and shops in England and Wales can accept digital identity apps from government-approved providers like the Post Office, Yoti and Luciditi as proof of age, alongside traditional physical ID. The scheme is voluntary and technology-agnostic, letting businesses choose whether to adopt it, though officials say most venues will still accept physical documents too.
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The move reflects a broader push to modernize identity verification while limiting how much personal data customers must hand over during routine checks like buying alcohol. Safeguards such as facial-match logins and time-limited QR codes aim to prevent ID sharing among underage users, a key concern for regulators and the hospitality industry alike.
- Digital ID apps can now supplement, not replace, physical ID for age checks in England and Wales.
- Approved apps like Yoti use facial recognition and time-limited QR codes to prevent misuse.
- Industry group UKHospitality welcomed the change but wants a smooth rollout that avoids extra burden on businesses.
Yoti Digital ID App — Yoti's Digital ID App offers a secure and convenient way to prove your age using your smartphone, making it easier and quicker to get served at pubs and shops. With government approval, it ensures your personal details are protected while streamlining the age verification process, perfectly aligning with the new digital ID regulations in the UK.
See Yoti Digital ID App on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: bbc.co.uk — Watch Our Pick Of Standout Clips Across The Bbc, 2026-09-14
Published there as: “Pubs in England and Wales to allow digital ID apps to prove age”
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