King’s Speech Highlights Digital Identity Plans

The UK government is gearing up for digital identity-driven transformation, with some key items highlighted in this year’s Throne Speech.

The items, detailed in a background briefing provided by the Prime Minister’s Office, comprise an important component of the year’s legislative agenda. They are embedded within the framework of the “Digital Information and Smart Data Bill”, which aims to harness the power of data to drive economic growth, support modern digital governance, and enhance public services.

Digital Verification Services: The government plans to establish digital verification services to simplify identity-checking processes, making everyday activities more efficient for people and businesses. The briefing states, “Digital verification services will help people and businesses to make the most of identity-checking technologies with confidence and peace of mind. These services will provide convenient and reliable options to prove things about themselves as they go about their everyday lives.” The economic benefits of these services are estimated to be around £600 million per year.

Digital Verification Services Bill: This bill will provide a statutory footing for innovative uses of data, including digital verification services. The government intends to support the creation and adoption of secure and trusted digital identity products and services. The document notes, “These measures support the creation and adoption of secure and trusted digital identity products and services from certified providers to help with things like moving house, pre-employment checks, and buying age-restricted goods and services.”

Digital Identities: The government is also committed to promoting standards for digital identities around privacy, security, and inclusion. The briefing highlights the modernization and strengthening of the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) to ensure robust data protection, stating, “We will also promote standards for digital identities around privacy, security, and inclusion.” This indicates a focus on ensuring that digital identities are both secure and user-friendly.

These plans underscore the British government’s determination to make progress on digital ID despite the disruption of the recent surprise election. Under the previous legislative session, the “Data Protection and Digital Information Bill”, or “HL Bill 67”, had passed through the House of Commons, and through the first and second readings in the House of Lords, finding its way to the “Report stage”, in which it would face scrutiny from all of the House. Then the election was called, and all proposed legislation “fell”, meaning it would have to be reintroduced once Parliament is once again in session.

Source: Gov.uk

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July 17, 2024 – by Alex Perala