Digital IDs on the Rise: New Survey Reveals 1 in 3 Brits Have Official ID on Phone

Exciting developments in the UK as digital driving licences are slated to debut by 2025, shining a spotlight on citizen security. A recent study by Thales sheds light on the significance of digital IDs, with findings showing that approximately 1 in 3 Brits store images or scans of their official IDs on their smartphones. The numbers are even higher among the younger populace, with 46% of 16-24-year-olds and 51% of 25-34-year-olds embracing this practice.

Despite this trend, a notable 15% of UK residents fell prey to fraudulent activities in the past month alone, particularly affecting the youth demographic. An alarming revelation was that 26% of Brits hold copies of their official IDs in multiple locations, with 1 in 5 even safeguarding duplicates of their loved ones’ IDs on their devices.

Delving deeper, the research uncovered that around 23% of individuals store sensitive bank details in non-encrypted folders, signaling a pressing need for enhanced security measures. The introduction of digital driving licences via a designated wallet within the UK Government app could be a game-changer, offering robust encryption layers to safeguard personal data.

Furthermore, with a significant portion of the population expressing discomfort in sharing financial information or personal details for services, the proposed Government-issued digital IDs could address privacy qualms and streamline online verification processes. Users may also have the option to redact specific details like home addresses when using their digital IDs for age verification.

Highlighting the potential benefits, Thales Strategic Marketing Director for Digital Identity, John Cullen, emphasized how secure digital identities empower consumers to safeguard their personal information effectively. However, concerns loom over the integration of British digital IDs with native smartphone systems like Apple Wallet, while skepticism surrounds the performance and reliability of the forthcoming app feature, drawing parallels with previous NHS initiatives during the pandemic.