Brits to get virtual IDs ‘soon’ with promise of buying booze using nothing but their phone – exactly how it works

BRITS will soon be able to keep a virtual version of their ID on a phone which could eventually allow people to buy booze.

Google has revealed that it is in talks with the Government about a way to store a digital copy of your passport on Android devices for alcohol purchases and other products requiring age verification.

Technology Secretary Peter Kyle announced in December that digital IDs will finally be available in the UK this year meaning pub-goers no longer need to carry a wallet.

In the first step toward digital ID, Google has announced that Brits will “soon” have the ability to verify their age for train railcards.

Train travellers will be able to confirm they’re the right age for passes such as the 15-25 railcard or 26-30 railcard.

It will work by using a UK passport within the Google Wallet app.

“Residents of the United Kingdom will soon be able to create digital ID passes with their U.K. passports and securely and conveniently store them in Google Wallet,” the company said.

“At launch, we’re partnering with Rail Delivery Group, which will offer train travellers the opportunity to use their digital ID to verify that they meet the eligibility criteria for select Railcards on its Railcard retailing platform railcard.co.uk.

“We’re also exploring certification within the digital identity trust framework of the U.K.’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, which could allow residents to use their Google Wallet ID passes for alcohol purchases and more.“

The Government is also working on an app of its own that will include a digital wallet to store documents, beginning with a veteran card and then a pilot of driving licences by the end of the year.

It will include a picture, licence number, name and whether or not the owner is over 18.

The Government’s digital wallet will be able to hold multiple documents – including Blue Badges, PIP letters, and DBS by 2027.

Digital IDs from Google and Apple have been available in some states of the US for sometime now.

Google said it is preparing to add Arkansas, Montana, Puerto Rico and West Virginia to the list next.

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How the Google Wallet digital ID works

With Google Wallet, government-issued ID appears alongside your bank cards.

When adding it to the app, you have to scan the front and the back of your ID so Google can check it’s valid.

You need to take a brief video to confirm it belongs to you.

Google then needs to prepare and send your application to the ID issuer which can take a few minutes to be approved.

You receive a notification when the ID card has been approved and is ready to use.

Steps may vary slightly for Brits as Google will have to comply with UK rules.

The Government here has set up a digital identity trust framework that companies like Google will have to get a certificate for to be allowed to facilitate digital IDs.

Image credit: Getty