New legislation planned to make digital identities more trustworthy and secure

The government is to propose new legislation to allow digital methods to be used to prove people’s identity, in place of physical documentation such as a passport or driving license.

The plans follow a consultation on digital identities and aim to make digital documents as trusted and secure as paper counterparts. It is also hoped that digitising documentation will help reduce expense and effort needed when providing legal proof of ID, such as when buying a home or starting a new job. Digital ID documents could also be used as proof of age when buying restricted products, and could be more secure than hard copies, as irrelevant information such as passport numbers or addresses would not be shared.

A new government body, the Office for Digital Identities and Attributes (ODIA) will also be set up to certify digital identity organisations with a new trust-mark, ensuring they meet high privacy and security standards.

Data Minister Julia Lopez said:

“This government is committed to unlocking the power of data to benefit people across the UK.

“The legislation we’re proposing will ensure that there are trusted and secure ways for people and organisations to use digital identities, should they choose to.”

In advance of the proposed legislation, landlords, letting agents and employers will be able to use certified new technology to carry out the right to work and the right to rent checks online from the 6th April, 2022 and prove their eligibility to work or rent more easily.

Sue Daley, Director for Technology and Innovation, techUK said:

Today’s announcements are a positive step forward in the UK’s implementation of digital identity. techUK has welcomed DCMS’s efforts in working with industry to get us to where we are today.

Given the next steps now being taken, continued cooperation between industry and government remains the best chance for a successful implementation of a digital identity ecosystem in the UK. However, we must also ensure we bring citizens on this journey with us: building public trust and confidence in Digital ID must be a key priority as we move forward.