New UK Data Bill Proposes Dedicated Digital ID Office, Biometrics Retention Changes

by Chris Burt | Biometric Update

The Data (Use and Access) Bill (DAU) has been introduced in UK Parliament, and if passed it would establish conditions to support digital verification services and open banking.

A new Office for Digital Identities and Attributes (OfDIA) will be established by the bill, if it passes, within Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). The OfDIA will handle approvals under the Digital Identity & Attributes Trust Framework, and issuance of trust marks to certified entities.

DSIT was recently expanded by the UK’s new Labour government, just as it was introducing the Digital Infrastructure and Services Development (DISD) Bill to replace the previous government’s Data Protection and Digital Information Bill (DPDI).

Julie Dawson, chief policy and regulatory officer at Yoti, calls the bill “a significant step forward for digital identities and data innovation in the UK. The establishment of the Digital Verification Service (DVS), which builds on and expands the previous Digital Identity & Attributes Trust Framework into a broader and more structured regulatory foundation, will enhance confidence in digital identities,” she says. “This will enable individuals and businesses to securely access services, reduce fraud, and strengthen data privacy protections. Read Full Article >