Digital Technology: Proof of Identity

(asked on 30th June 2025) - View Source

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to guarantee that individuals have a right to opt out of digital ID schemes.


Answered by
Chris Bryant Portrait
Chris Bryant
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
This question was answered on 8th July 2025

The Government has no plans to introduce legislation on the right to opt out of using digital identities. Nor has the Government taken any steps to make their use mandatory.

The digital verification services provisions in the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 are designed to give people choice. They help both people and organisations to realise the benefits of secure digital identities with greater confidence, if they choose to use them.

The Government also plans to introduce digital versions of existing government-issued documents through the GOV.UK Wallet, a secure digital service for storing government-issued credentials on users’ smartphones. However, people will still be able to prove their identity using physical documents if they prefer.

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