UK Introduces Data Bill for Digital Verification and Fraud Reduction
The UK government has introduced the Data (Use and Access) Bill, aiming to govern personal data use and sharing through digital technologies. The bill, introduced to Parliament on October 23, 2025, has undergone its first reading in the House of Lords. It introduces a 'trust mark' for certified digital verification services, expected to enhance confidence and reduce fraud.
The bill allows NHS staff and police forces to access personal data more easily, estimated to free up 140,000 hours of NHS staff time and 1.5 million hours of police officers' time per year. The trust mark is a new logo issued by the Office for Digital Identities and Attributes (OfDIA) within the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). Julie Dawson of Yoti welcomes the bill, expecting it to boost trust in digital verification services, leading to increased efficiency in areas like parcel collection, banking, and moving house.
The responsibility for implementing the new law lies with data protection supervisory authorities. The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) will be revamped with a new structure and enforcement powers under the law, and will be renamed the Information Commission. The previous Conservative government had planned to introduce similar legislation in 2022. The EU's European Digital Identity (EUDI) Regulation, unveiled in 2024, mandates member states to offer Digital Identity Wallets and adheres to cybersecurity requirements.
The Data (Use and Access) Bill, introduced to Parliament on October 23, 2025, aims to govern personal data use and sharing through digital technologies. It introduces a 'trust mark' for certified digital verification services, expected to enhance confidence and reduce fraud. The bill also aims to free up significant time for NHS staff and police forces by enabling easier access to personal data.
