Leisure Sector Update: Incorporating digital identities and technology in age verfication processes
Welcome to the Harrison Drury Leisure Sector Newsletter. Your regular update on legal developments across the leisure, hospitality and tourism sector. Our aim is to keep you informed, prepared and ahead of the curve with insights tailored to support you and your business.
On 24th January 2024, the government launched a consultation to assess the feasibility of incorporating digital identities and technology in age verification processes for alcohol sales. The consultation also aims to address age verification for online deliveries, outlining that the current legislation specifies that age verification must take place at the point of sale, not the point of delivery.
There are various proposals including allowing digital identities to be used alongside traditional documents, or the possibility of allowing age estimation technology alongside traditional identity documents. We understand, age estimation technology is still in the early stages so exactly how this would work is unknown. In relation to online sales, there are suggestions to modify the Licensing Act 2003 or the Section 182 Guidance to stipulate that age verification checks, assessments for intoxication, and evaluations to prevent proxy sales must occur both at the point of sale and at the point of delivery.
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