NEW digital IDs have been revealed for the first time – as millions of Brits could be forced to use them by the end of this year.
Digital driving licences and veteran cars are set to be available to download under plans to “drag the government into the 2020s”.
An example of a digital wallet belonging to MP Peter Kyle has been released showing what they will look like.
The ID includes a picture, licence number, name and whether or not the owner is over 18.
The digital wallets will be able to hold multiple documents – including Blue Badges, PIP letters, and DBS by 2027.
Even birth certificates, marriage certificates and passports are on the agenda.
This “voluntary” movement is meant to save money and time and take advantage of smartphone security.
However, digital IDs could be forced upon Brits if not enough sign up voluntarily, the Technology Secretary has suggested.
Peter Kyle refused four times to rule out compulsory online identification when grilled by The Sun – only saying it was not necessary “right now”.
He faced questions at the launch of a brand-new government app that will let people upload current paper-based cards like driving licences.
From June, users will be able to prove their age and identity with the gadget on their mobile phone.
Asked if this was a “slippery slope” to becoming a legal requirement, Mr Kyle said: “This is a slippery slope to people getting what they actually need and desire, and that is having the documents they need.
“They’re not rolling it out on them when they go forward. What I’m creating today is products that are so desirable people are going to want to have them.
“I don’t know why somebody would want to carry around a paper based driving license when they have the option of having it on their site with their smartphone.”
Pressed on mandating the cards, he said: “I don’t think we’re going to need the compulsion right now, because simply the desirability of it and the fact that retail, hospitality, pubs and clubs and then online stores that are selling products and services that have an age limit, they can all use one or two other of these services.
“So the speed and efficiency and the convenience of interacting via the technology that we are releasing is going to be so compelling that I think most people will automatically engage with it.”
With the digitalisation of IDs comes the addition of “Humphrey” via the government-run app.
Instead of rooting through government letters, app users can opt to receive official documents virtually with Humphrey there to assist.
Thousands of business staff have already tested the AI chatbot, whose purpose is to speed up “outdated” government processes.
Mr Kyle announced that Humphrey will help civil servants modernise Whitehall and cut costs on external consultants.
He said: “Sluggish technology has hampered our public services for too long, and it’s costing us all a fortune in time and money.”
The chatbot’s name comes from the fictional character Sir Humphrey Appleby from the 1980s BBC sitcom “Yes Minister”.
It comes after a government systems review found the HMRC takes 100,000 calls and DVLA processes 45,000 letters per day.
The Department for Science, Innovation & Technology said it could save services up to £45billion by speeding up work and slashing consultant spending.
Mr Kyle said: “Along with CDs, the Walkman and flip phones, the overflowing drawer rammed with letters from the Government and hours spent on hold to get a basic appointment will soon be consigned to history.
“GOV.UK Wallet will mean that every letter or identity document you receive from the government could be issued to you virtually.
“For people who choose to use GOV.UK Wallet, they will find it easier to prove they’re entitled to benefits or check their age when buying alcohol or DIY equipment, with more security and trust than ever before.
“Crucially, it also opens huge opportunities to make interacting with public services much easier by putting people in control of their own data.
“We will be overhauling how the public sector uses technology which is essential to delivering our Plan for Change, and in combination with this new tech for people to use themselves, we are going to slash the time people waste dealing with annoying processes so they can focus on what matters to them.”
