Use of digital ID in UK achieves statutory standing
Using “trusted” digital ID software program to confirm your id on-line within the UK has taken on a statutory footing as of 1 December.
The measures contained within the Knowledge (Use and Entry) Act, which turned legislation in June this yr, have now taken impact, introducing a proper and legally backed set of requirements and governance guidelines with which all licensed suppliers of digital verification providers (DVS) should conform.
The transfer is meant to offer the general public with confidence when utilizing licensed digital id apps, by way of a framework that exhibits suppliers are thought of reliable.
The statutory regime can be more likely to underpin the UK authorities’s plans for a nationwide digital ID scheme, which was introduced by prime minister Keir Starmer in September, and is because of undergo a session part early subsequent yr.
The statutory system formalises processes which have been in place on a trial foundation for a while. Suppliers of DVS instruments have to evolve to the federal government’s Digital Identities and Attributes Framework (DIATF) and related codes that add additional specs to be used instances reminiscent of proper to work or proper to hire checks.
As soon as licensed, suppliers are listed on a statutory register and can be capable of use a belief mark to show their conformance for potential customers. To this point, 48 DVS suppliers who’ve gained DIATF certification have utilized to affix the register.
“This regime of requirements, governance and oversight helps to make sure the general public can belief digital verification providers provided beneath it within the UK,” stated John Peart, CEO of the Workplace for Digital Identities and Attributes (OfDIA), which oversees the framework.
Crucial time for digital id
The transfer comes at a essential time for digital id within the UK. Suppliers have been blindsided by Starmer’s announcement of a nationwide digital ID scheme that will probably be necessary for right-to-work checks by 2029. Many within the sector imagine such a nationwide scheme undermines all of the work and funding they’ve put in to growing apps and attaining conformance to the statutory regime.
At this time (2 December 2025), representatives of DIATF-certified DVS suppliers are assembly with Darren Jones, Starmer’s chief secretary, who has taken on coverage accountability within the Cupboard Workplace for the digital ID plan.
Final week’s Autumn Price range revealed that authorities has put apart £1.8bn to develop the nationwide scheme, which many suppliers say is a pointless expense after they already present apps that may ship right-to-work checks and different providers throughout the scope of the federal government proposals.
“[Government] is proposing so as to add £1.8bn of latest prices to construct a system that duplicates DVS,” stated Adrian Area, director of market growth at digital ID provider OneID, writing on LinkedIn.
“Is that this the perfect use of taxpayer funds? [The] non-public sector has confirmed that ID providers will be delivered much more successfully and at far cheaper value – why not use the environment friendly, efficient providers extra?”
The assembly with Jones took place after trade representatives requested a proper collaboration on the federal government scheme.
The Affiliation of Digital Verification Professionals wrote an open letter to Jones, to request a gathering to suggest a cross-sector discussion board to “assist readability and alignment” on the digital id scheme, noting that authorities messaging on its coverage has made no point out of the DIATF regime.
“For over a decade, with cross-party assist, the UK has developed the Digital Id and Attribute Belief Framework – a voluntary mannequin that protects particular person rights, lets authorities regulate and permits trade to innovate,” the letter stated.
“It’s unclear whether or not the intention is a brand new nationwide digital ID saved in licensed non-public wallets, a single credential sitting solely within the Gov.uk Pockets accessed by licensed DVS suppliers (the present plan), or one thing completely totally different. Every variation represents a basically totally different social and financial mannequin. This uncertainty dangers market stability, discourages funding and weakens belief throughout all the digital ecosystem – not simply authorities.”
A web based petition opposing the introduction of digital ID within the UK has gathered nearly three million signatures, and plenty of DVS suppliers are privately outraged on the authorities’s proposals.
MPs on the Residence Affairs Committee launched an inquiry in June 2025 into the introduction of latest types of digital ID. At a listening to final month, the MPs have been warned {that a} necessary digital ID might pave the best way for larger mass surveillance and digital exclusion, and would fail to ship Starmer’s advised advantages of decreasing unlawful migration or stopping folks from working illegally.
