Rules allowing Digital IDs to be accepted in licensed premises take effect

Licensed premises across England and Wales, including pubs, bars, restaurants, and music venues, have the option to introduce digital proof of age for alcohol sales under new rules introduced by the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (DUA Act) that took effect on Tuesday 15 September.

The announcement notes that while adoption is expected to take time, the system is intended to give customers an app-based alternative to carrying physical ID proving they are 18 or over, helping protect their privacy and personal safety.

For businesses, the scheme allows staff to verify ages with greater confidence than inspecting physical documents. Certified third-party digital identity services confirm that an ID is genuine and belongs to the individual presenting it, reducing the risk of undetected fake or borrowed identification. The check can be conducted by scanning a QR code or tapping a phone against a reader, building on certified digital identity technology already used across the UK.

In a statement responding to the news, Jasleen Chaggar, Senior and Legal and Policy Officer at Big Brother Watch, said: "Having multiple ways to prove your identity is helpful, but the Government should ensure that digital ID does not become de facto mandatory as it would shut out millions of people."

Additional reporting in The Guardian.

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