United Kingdom: The end of fake ID? Major retailers adopt electronic age-checks to stop kids buying booze

Source: The Telegraph

Katie Morley

16 May 2016

The days of using fake ID to buy alcohol and cigarettes are coming to an end as Britain’s biggest retailers are adopting new technology which checks people’s age in real-time.

A national “electronic token” system could eliminate the need for adults to carry passports and driving licenses to prove their age within a year, as retailers will instead verify it with their bank or a credit agency when they pay.

According to Trust Elevate, the firm that designed the system, it will be rolled out online and at self-service check-outs first but could also become commonplace in pubs and clubs, meaning bar staff would no longer have to ask customers to present physical ID. 

Today supermarkets including Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and Morrison’s are meeting to discuss the move at a conference hosted by the British Retail Consortium, a trade body which represents large shops.

The move will also address the Government’s concerns over minors buying age restricted items – including knives – through online shopping websites, where the only form of age verification is often just a simple tick-box.

“As soon as something new comes out, people find a way of getting around it”Alan Miller

David Wilson, head of public affairs at the British Beer and Pub Association, said: “Anything that makes age verification at point of sale easier will help retailers to be responsible when selling alcohol. We are not very keen on the idea of young people taking their passports out with them, and this could help eradicate the need for them to do so.”

But Alan Miller, chairman at the Nightlife association, which represents nightclubs and bars, predicted the technology would fail to stop teenagers drinking. “As soon as something new comes out, people find a way of getting around it,” he said.

Graham Wynn, assistant director for consumer competition and regulatory affairs at the British Retail Consortium, said: “Retailers have long recognised the need for age verification online, and the British Retail Consortium is happy to work with Trust Elevate to ensure the success of this initiative that will explore how best to meet retailers need for friction-less and affordable age-related eligibility checks when customers wish to purchase age-restricted products.”