digital verification services
State‑enabled or accredited credential verification services.
How the laws define this
Regulators agree that digital verification services focus on digitally verifying or asserting the identity, attributes, or credentials of individuals under official regulatory oversight that includes consultation or involvement with the ICO. The principal divergence lies in how each legal instrument structures provider compliance and administration. The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 frames these bodies as state-enabled or accredited entities verifying entitlements or status specifically for reuse across both public and private services, setting out standards, accreditation, and interfaces through DSIT and the ICO. Conversely, the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill focuses on establishing a statutory trust framework requiring provider registration, compliance with approval criteria, and direct oversight under Secretary of State powers, which includes the potential awarding of a trust mark.
Synthesised from the 2 statutory definitions below. Each one is quoted in full, with its source.
What it triggers
- Under the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill, DVS providers must register, meet approval criteria, and be subject to oversight.
Definitions (2)
Services and delivery bodies (state‑enabled or accredited) that verify credentials or attributes (such as identity, entitlements or status) for reuse across public and private services; the Act establishes standards, accreditation, oversight and interfaces (via DSIT/ICO) for these services.
Digital Verification Services (DVS) are services that digitally verify or assert the identity or attributes of individuals; the bill creates a statutory trust framework requiring DVS providers to register, meet approval criteria, and be subject to oversight (including potential awarding of a trust mark) administered under Secretary of State powers with ICO consultation.
Not to be confused with
Digital verification services verify identity or attributes, while digital identity service enables sharing of identity data.
Digital verification services are broader than accredited digital identity service, which is specifically accredited under TF regime.
Questions and answers
What are the requirements for digital verification services in the UK?
The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 establishes standards, accreditation, oversight and interfaces for these services.
What is the difference between digital verification services and digital identity service?
Digital verification services verify credentials or attributes, while digital identity service enables sharing of identity data.
Related Terms
digital identity service
A service enabling sharing of personal or organisational identity data....
accredited digital identity service
A digital identity service accredited under the TF regime....
Certificate-based services
Enumerated services that establish electronic trust and evidentiary certainty....
Digital Verification Services (DVS)
Certified digital identity services for verifying user attributes....
Binding service
Service that links credentials to real-world identities....