User:CapG57/Post Office EasyID
Post Office EasyID
[edit]
Post Office EasyID is a scheme operated by the Post Office as an alternative to traditional means of identification in the UK. It is a form of digital identification. It allows users to share their verifiable identity with organisations and individuals.
The scheme uses Yoti to provide the infrastructure for the verification as well as the sharing of the information through APIs, SDKs, and online portals.[1]
Examples of uses for the scheme include buying National Lottery tickets, picking up parcels at the Post Office, and buying tobacco and energy drinks from Payzone retailers. The UK government has also approved the scheme for use as a proof of identity for Right to Work, Right to Rent, and criminal records checks.
Uses
[edit]The first main use was allowing users to pick up parcels from the Post Office with only their phone. Users would show an attendant their phone screen which would either display the user's information or a QR code that the attendant could then scan to verify the user's identity through Yoti's online portal. Payzone also accepts the scheme, meaning users can buy tobacco and energy drinks without a physical ID.[2]
The UK Government has approved the scheme and similar digital identification to be used for Right to Work[3], Right to Rent and criminal record checks.[4]
Most recently, the scheme has been rolled out nationwide to cinemas. This means that users who traditionally had no easy means to verify their age were now given a means for that.[5]
In addition to providing an app, the scheme can also be used to supplement traditional ID cards. This is typically done by including a QR code on the card which can be scanned to verify the credibility of it. The Post Office PASS card and Yoti CitizenCard both allow users to do this.[6][7]
Limitations
[edit]Existing legislation means that the scheme cannot be used to facilitate the sale of alcohol. Section 2 paragraph 4 of The Licensing Act 2003 (Mandatory Licensing Conditions) Order 2010 requires that:
"individuals who appear [...] to be under 18 years of age (or such older age as may be specified in the policy) [must] produce on request, before being served alcohol, identification bearing their photograph, date of birth and a holographic mark" [8]
As digital identification cannot provide a holographic mark, it cannot be used for the serving of alcohol.
Prospects
[edit]All but one of the big four supermarkets in the UK took part in a government trial for digital identification. Asda, Morrisons and Tesco all used an AI algorithm developed by Yoti which determined whether a user was under the age of 25 in relation to the sale of alcohol. Except for Tesco, the chains also allowed users to verify their age through the Post Office EasyID app.[9] The Home Office is expected to release its evaluation of the trials in August 2022.[10]
- ^ developers.yoti.com https://developers.yoti.com/. Retrieved 2022-07-31.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ Stevens, Ben (2021-08-23). "The Post Office launches 'EasyID' app so you never have to bring your passport to collect a parcel again". Latest Retail Technology News From Across The Globe - Charged. Retrieved 2022-07-31.
- ^ Leonard, Grant (2022-07-01). "First digital ID for Right to Rent checks launched". The Negotiator. Retrieved 2022-07-31.
- ^ "Identity document validation technology in the right to work and right to rent schemes, and DBS pre-employment checking (accessible version)". GOV.UK. Retrieved 2022-07-31.
- ^ "UK cinemas embrace digital IDs to verify age". UKTN | UK Tech News. 2022-05-30. Retrieved 2022-07-31.
- ^ "PASS Card | Post Office". www.postoffice.co.uk. Retrieved 2022-07-31.
- ^ "Yoti CitizenCard - The UK's new ID solution". CitizenCard. Retrieved 2022-07-31.
- ^ "The Licensing Act 2003 (Mandatory Licensing Conditions) Order 2010". legislation.gov.uk. 2010-03-16. Retrieved 2022-07-31.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Details of the trials". GOV.UK. Retrieved 2022-07-31.
- ^ Farrell, Steve (2022-05-25). "Supermarket trials of AI cameras for age checking extended until end of June". The Grocer. Retrieved 2022-07-31.