A recently issued privacy notice reveals that the government has sought participants for ongoing trials and user research, which will help shape progress of new mobile system for accessing services
The Government Digital Service has invited a select group citizens to test out the soon-to-launch GOV.UK App, and will use the insights gained from this exercise to help dictate improvements and release plans for the technology.
The app – plans for which were first trailed in October 2021 – has now entered a private beta testing phase in which about 5,000 people have been invited to participate. A much broader public beta exercise is then slated to begin in June. As exclusively reported by PublicTechnology last year, these stages were originally due to commence in November 2024 and March 2025.
Now testing is underway, a privacy notice issued by GDS – outlining how the personal data of those taking part in the trials will be used – says that “feedback from this testing will be used to make improvements to the app”.
“When you sign up to test the GOV.UK app, you’ll be asked to provide your email address so that we can contact you about taking part in further research,” the notice adds. “You’ll also be asked what age bracket you’re in. This is so that we can understand the demographics and diversity of our user test group, which will help inform our decision about when to release the app to the general public. You’ll also be asked whether you’re an iPhone or Android user. This is so we can direct iPhone users to the iPhone version of the app, and notify Android users when the Android version is released.”
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology confirmed the launch of the private beta tests of the app to PublicTechnology and indicated that the exercise will enable government “to see if the underlying infrastructure remains stable with lots of users”.
Secretary of state Peter Kyle added: “The GOV.UK App takes a leap forward in modernising how people access public services, giving people an experience that is aligned with what they’re used to in the private sector,” he said. “This testing phase is key to making sure the GOV.UK App’s foundations are strong, so when we launch our first version this summer, users can trust that the app is seamless, secure, and easy to use.”
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The ultimate intention is that the app will provide the public with a single mobile channel through which to access hundreds of services offered across departments. DSIT said that the system represents “the first proactive and personalised channel between citizens and government, with users able to access services like applying for child support, reporting a lost passport, receiving reminders when their MOT is due and more”.
In an exclusive report last summer, PublicTechnology revealed that the app was proposed to serve nine core areas of functionality:
- Identity – including the ability for users to log in, then manage an account and their personal preferences
- Store – covering the provision of a digital wallet for credentials and certifications
- Read – a mailbox for messages and other communications
- Ask – incorporating search, chat and navigation services
- Apply – allowing users to make digital applications, renewals and registrations
- Book – for booking appointments, and providing calendar services and reminders
- Approve – enabling citizens to provide consent, sign documents, and verify information
- Notify – covering reminders, alerts, and other proactively provided information
- Pay – including one-off payments, as well as regular or automated payments
To assist with the delivery of the technology, GDS last year entered into a two-year contract with Deloitte, which will be worth up to £50m to the tech firm. Access to the app will be supported by the new cross-government One Login identity-verification system.
It now appears the proposed digital wallet function of the app will be provided as a separate platform – the GOV.UK Wallet, the imminent launch of which was announced by Kyle in January. The wallet eill operate much like similar technologies from Apple and Google and will provide a government-backed system will enable smartphone users to access, in a single place, a range of official documents. A Digital Veteran Card for former Armed Forces Personnel will this become one of the first documents available via the platform, as will a digital driving licences, which is intended to go into a pilot phase by the end of 2025.
Other electronic documents to be made available are set to include the likes of National Insurance numbers, benefits details and, by 2027, a digital version of a citizens’ passport that can, initially, be used to prove identity. It is understood that, over the coming months and years, government will explore the potential role of other tech providers and, eventually, government documents could potentially be accessible via other Apple, Google or other digital wallet offerings.
