The UK government aims to use technology to “transform public services” and plans to introduce digital driving licenses this year.
The digital version of your driver's license will be available in the government app's virtual wallet, rather than being added to your existing Google or Apple wallet. It could be used as an ID when voting, purchasing alcoholic beverages, boarding domestic flights, etc.
Physical licenses will continue to be issued and new digital IDs are not mandatory, but the government said the move was part of its efforts to use technology to “make people's lives easier and transform public services”. Ta.
A government spokesperson said: “Technology has made it possible for digital IDs to be more secure than physical IDs, but it is clear that they will not be compulsory.” Ta.
Virtual wallets are believed to have security measures similar to many banking apps, and only the holder of their respective license can access them through security features built into their smartphones, such as biometrics and multi-factor authentication. You can access your virtual wallet.
The voluntary digital option is expected to be introduced later this year, the newspaper said. Possible features include allowing users to hide their address in certain situations such as bars or shops, or using virtual licenses for age verification at supermarket self-checkouts.
The government is said to be considering integrating other services into the app, such as paying taxes, claiming benefits and other forms of identification such as National Insurance numbers, but the former prime minister is pushing It is unlikely that national ID cards will become compulsory. Ministers Tony Blair and William Hague.
At the time, privacy campaign group Big Brother Watch called the potential move “one of the biggest attacks on privacy the UK has ever seen.”
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Nearly 50 million Brits hold a temporary or permanent driving licence. Similar initiatives are already underway in Australia, Denmark, Iceland and Norway. And the European Union requires member states to develop at least one form of official digital identity by 2026, after which it will be accepted across the region.
