Government ‘open to exploring’ use of Apple and Google Wallets to store official documents


Feryal Clark, the minister for artificial intelligence and digital government, has suggested that documents could be opened up to storage in private platforms if vendors adhere to electronic ID standards

Following the recent unveiling of the soon-to-launch GOV.UK Wallet, ministers have confirmed that the government is open to the possibility of working with tech firms to enable official documents to be stored in commercial wallet systems.

The Government Digital Service recently announced that government intends to launch its own smartphone wallet in the second half of 2025. Among the first documents that citizens will be able to store in the official platform will be digital versions of the Veteran Card for former Armed Forces Personnel and also driving licences – a virtual version of which will begin a pilot phase by the end of the year.

Other electronic documents that will be accessible via the GOV.UK Wallet are set to include the likes of National Insurance numbers, benefits details and, by 2027, a digital passport that will, initially, offer holders a new means to prove their identity.

When the new state-backed smartphone system was announced last month, it was understood that government would be amenable to considering making digital documents accessible not only via the GOV.UK Wallet – but also for users of similar private-sector platforms from the likes of Apple and Google.


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Feryal Clark, minister for artificial intelligence and digital government, has now confirmed this possibility publicly. The minister suggested that, in order to offer their users access to official documents, tech firms would need to adhere to the measures standards set out in existing government-backed certifications for digital-identity providers.

“We recognise there may be value in government documents, such as the digital driving licence, being available through private sector wallets that have been certified as part of the government’s Digital Identity and Attributes Trust Framework,” Clark said, in response to a written parliamentary question from Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi. “There are no current plans but we are open to exploring this in the future. Currently, Apple, Google and Samsung Wallets are not certified, but may choose to become so in the future.”

Announcing the GOV.UK Wallet last month, Clark’s ministerial colleague Peter Kyle, the secretary of state for science, innovation and technology, said that the app “will mean that every letter or identity document you receive from the government could be issued to you virtually”.

“For people who choose to use GOV.UK Wallet, they will find it easier to prove they’re entitled to benefits or check their age when buying alcohol or DIY equipment, with more security and trust than ever before,” he added. “Crucially, it also opens huge opportunities to make interacting with public services much easier by putting people in control of their own data.”

Sam Trendall

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