The UK government has announced plans to allow people to use digital identities on their phones to prove their age when buying alcohol in High Street pubs, clubs and shops.

If they adopt the new system, landlords and retailers will be able to scan digital identities to verify a customer’s age without customers disclosing personal information like their name or address, which is visible on certain documents like drivers’ licences.

The technology to check a digital identity is similar to scanning a QR code or using NFC, with the government saying the move will speed up transactions and make them more convenient.

The digital identities, which will need to be independently certified against government standards, will be available from a number of companies already developing them in the UK.

According to the government, the digital identities industry generated £2 billion in revenue in the UK last year and employed over 10,000 people – half of which were based outside of London.

The government said that benefits of the new system include less friction in grocery queues, keeping personal information such as addresses away from bad actors, and allowing pub landlords to serve alcohol more easily.

It did not confirm the exact time when the plans would be rolled out but said they will likely be in place by next Christmas.

“There are fewer things more frustrating than realising you’ve forgotten your ID when heading to a pub, bar or restaurant, and hopefully these new measures will make that a thing of the past,” said Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UK Hospitality. “I look forward to working with the government on its smooth implementation, which minimises additional costs for businesses.”

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