Yoti digital IDs app helps retailers and hospitality firms with alcohol law changes
Yoti has launched Digital ID Connect ID Checker, a free app that enables UK businesses to verify customers’ digital IDs when they use them to prove their age or in future identity.
This is pitched at businesses across retail, hospitality and other sectors as they prepare for forthcoming UK government legislative changes that will allow digital IDs to be used as proof of age when buying alcohol.
The new app lets businesses scan and verify a customer’s digital ID presented on a smartphone, checking that the digital ID is legitimate, valid and belongs to the customer. It is designed for businesses of all sizes, from independent shops to national chains.
Changes to the alcohol laws, expected in early 2026, mean businesses will legally only be able to accept digital IDs that are certified to the UK government’s Digital Identity and Attributes Trust Framework (DIATF).
To support early adoption, the ID Checker app will be available free of charge to single location businesses, helping pubs, bars, retailers and other small enterprises verify age without adding extra costs enterprise versions will also be available for larger organisations and partners, offering reporting and APIs to enable integration with existing hardware and software.
Digital IDs only disclose the required age information (such as ‘over 18’) and do not reveal additional personal information such as names, addresses or full dates of birth. This design means individuals can leave physical documents at home and prove their age securely with their phone.
Individuals can prove their age with their phone even without an internet connection. Bluetooth, on-device liveness detection and face matching are all used to help prevent attempts to trick the system using screenshots, videos or other people's phones.
Looking ahead, the ID Checker app will expand to support additional identity verification needs, including Right to Work and Right to Rent checks, enabling organisations to streamline multiple ID requirements through a single platform.
Robin Tombs, CEO at Yoti, says: “The UK government is updating legislation so that people can use digital IDs instead of physical documents such as driving licences and passports for purchasing alcohol. Our ID Checker app gives businesses a simple, secure way to check digital IDs now for other age restricted purchases such as energy drinks, vapes or tobacco, and prepare for when the law is updated to include alcohol.”
The ID Checker app can verify digital IDs issued by multiple UK providers including Yoti, Post Office EasyID and Luciditi - together downloaded by over seven million people in the UK. The app will also be able to support other DIATF certified digital IDs, mobile driving licences and government issued digital IDs as they become available.
2025 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS
Digital retail was a key focus area at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards.
We received a record number of entries and many fantastic examples of the continued resilience and dynamism of the retail space during hugely challenging times.
For a full rundown of all of the shortlisted entries, click here.
Our 2025 hall of fame entrants were revealed during a sold out event which took place at The HAC in Central London on 16th October and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by award winning comedian, actress and writer Tiff Stevenson.
In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “This is the awards’ fifth year as a physical event. We started off with just 30 people at the South Place Hotel not far from here, then moved to London Bridge Hotel, then The Barbican, and last year RIBA’s HQ in the West End.”
“But I’m conscious of the fact that, to quote the legend that is Taylor Swift, You’re only as hot as your last hit, baby. So, this year we’ve moved to our biggest venue yet, and also pulled in our largest number of entries to date and broken attendance records.”
He added: “This year’s submissions have without doubt been our best yet. To quote one of the judges: The examples of innovative developments across both traditional and digital retail spaces were truly remarkable.”
Congratulations to our winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Tiff Stevenson, and all those who attended our 2025 gathering.
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