The UK government introduces a digital wallet for secure credential sharing, enhancing privacy and access to digital services across sectors.
Photo source:
GOV.UK
The digital wallet developed by the UK government enables secure, user-controlled sharing of official credentials.
Individuals will be able to store documents such as driving licences or veteran ID cards
on their smartphones and selectively share only the information needed for a particular interaction.
Traditional methods of identity verification often require people to share more personal data than necessary. For example, proving legal age might mean revealing a full name, date of birth, and address. This creates unnecessary privacy risks and inefficiencies. The GOV.UK Wallet aims to resolve this by giving users the ability to share only specific data points.
Selective data sharing: Users can verify age or residency without revealing full ID information.
Derived credentials: Identity providers can issue new credentials based on government-verified data.
Interoperability: Built on standards like OpenID and ISO 18013-5 for broader compatibility.
User control: Data is stored on personal devices, not on centralized servers.
Veterans will receive a digital Veterans Card in 2025.
Drivers, as part of a digital driving licence pilot launching later in 2025.
Banks, landlords, and employers, who can verify identity data securely.
By 2027, the government aims to offer digital versions of all paper- or card-based credentials.
The GOV.UK Wallet integrates with the existing GOV.UK One Login service. Identity service providers (ISPs) can connect to the platform to verify user data and issue derived credentials, such as age-verification or employment status.
Renting a flat without sharing unnecessary personal info.
Confirming over-18 status for age-restricted purchases.
Sharing student status for discounts or service access.
The Wallet uses open technical standards to ensure privacy, security, and cross-platform compatibility.
User adoption: Public trust must be earned through clarity and transparency
Technical accessibility: The service needs to function across various devices and for users with differing digital skills
Private-sector engagement: Adoption by businesses and institutions is critical for practical utility
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