Wednesday: Adoption: What emerging use cases in the UK, offer the biggest opportunities?

Adoption isn’t a question of if but when: Digital identity (Digital ID) is on the brink of transforming how we buy, rent, bank, and even switch our energy suppliers. With government departments starting to embed it into processes, and industries searching for ways to improve both security and efficiency, Digital ID is set to become a cornerstone of everyday transactions.

The recent news that Digital ID could soon become a reality for UK citizens raises important questions: Are people ready to adopt this new form of identification? Where might adoption take hold first? And which sectors offer the biggest opportunities for Digital ID to create meaningful impact?

What is Digital ID and why does it matter

“A digital identity is a digital representation of your identity information, like your name and age. At your request, it can also contain other information about you, like your address, or biometric information, like a fingerprint or face scan.” (GOV.UK, 2024)

One form of Digital ID that many clients and stakeholders already encounter day to day is the eSignature. Here, Digital ID plays a crucial role in confirming that the person signing a document is genuinely who they say they are. When layered into digital document workflows, it strengthens trust in agreements and helps organisations meet strict compliance and regulatory standards. In sectors such as financial services, legal, and utilities, these watertight systems create smoother, faster customer experiences, reduce fraud, and keep processes fully digital and transparent.

Right now, sectors are actively pushing to digitalise in response to shifting attitudes toward adoption and its clear benefits. We’re at a unique point where the technology behind Digital ID is finally catching up with people’s appetite for easier, smarter ways to replace wet signatures and mountains of paperwork.

From my perspective, many sectors are already seamlessly entering this new way of paperless identification, which may seem extremely common these days, but many other areas of business still have the potential to go even further.

What could a Digital ID look like in practice?

Rather than piles of paperwork and repeated form-filling, imagine a secure app on your phone, unlocked only by Face ID or a fingerprint, holding all your verified credentials in one place: passport, driving licence, proof of address, even professional licences. With a few taps, individuals and businesses could securely share exactly what’s needed, when it’s needed.

Of course, this is just one vision of how Digital ID might be built, not a concrete blueprint. But by imagining this concept, we can start to see the potential: a practical tool that could save time, reduce fraud, and make everyday processes seamless. The exact form it takes will depend on the choices made by policymakers, regulators, and industry, but the opportunity is clear and, if implemented, will become incredibly advantageous for both customers and businesses.

Emerging opportunities across UK sectors

Renting or buying property depends on rigorous ID checks, from tenant referencing to property purchases. Today, the reliance on ID5 forms and paper-based documents often requiring in-person solicitor visits and original paperwork, makes transactions slow, costly, and stressful. With digital self-identification, individuals could verify themselves remotely and securely. This would not only remove a major bottleneck in property transactions, but also reduce fraud risks and errors, while eliminating the need for handling sensitive documents manually.

Setting up new accounts or switching suppliers often creates friction, with customers asked to submit multiple proofs of address and identity. A secure Digital ID could condense this into a single, trusted credential, instantly confirming both identity and residency. For consumers, it means greater control and a smoother onboarding experience. For providers, it reduces verification costs, speeds up processes, and cuts down on errors. In practice, switching energy suppliers could become as quick and seamless as tapping to log in with a digital wallet.

Here, a Digital ID can transform the whole process by making it instant and customer-driven. Instead of users submitting documents and waiting days for manual verification, a verified digital identity could provide immediate assurance of compliance. What is more, consumer demand for faster onboarding is now pushing adoption forward. Whether opening a bank account or applying for a loan, a Digital ID could dramatically cut time and friction.

Digital ID and accessibility

Digital ID also has the potential to improve accessibility for groups often underserved by current processes. Renters, young people, or those with limited credit histories could find it far easier to prove who they are and access essential services. In education, Digital ID could simplify enrollment, instantly verifying eligibility for funding or support.

When combined with secure eSignature technology, Digital ID's trustworthiness becomes even stronger. From approving finance applications to renting property or switching energy suppliers, the pairing of Digital ID and eSignatures ensures both authentication and authorisation in a single step. Together, they significantly reduce fraud, speed up compliance heavy processes, and create a more seamless experience for everyone involved.

Digital ID in the near future

Looking ahead, biometrics will likely play a central role in the widespread use of Digital ID. I would like to imagine that in the next five years, the UK will be fully digitally enabled, where a simple fingerprint scan, facial recognition, or even a voiceprint replaces the need for a physical signature. Authorising a mortgage with your thumbprint or confirming your identity to HMRC with a secure facial scan may feel futuristic now, but could be standard practice within five years.

The important thing is that the technology and appetite for adoption are already here. Many of us already unlock phones or approve payments with our fingerprints or faces, so it feels like a natural extension. What’s missing is complete confidence in how Digital IDs will be governed. Questions around data storage, privacy, and consent remain front of mind, and the government will need to provide watertight frameworks, safeguards, and transparent oversight before widespread adoption can follow.

Ultimately, the technology is ready, and so are consumers. But trust remains the biggest barrier. People want clarity on how a Digital ID is created, stored, accessed, and shared. Moving from physical to digital identity can only work if people feel reassured that their information is protected.

Well-designed frameworks and inclusive design can go a long way in closing that trust gap. If achieved, Digital ID could move from an emerging concept to everyday reality very quickly. The foundations are already in place, and what is needed now is the reassurance that identity in the digital era will be as secure, reliable, and respected as its physical counterpart.

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The techUK Financial Services programme connects tech firms, the FS industry, and regulators to ensure innovation and technology can be fully embraced. Through market engagement activities and events, we help to empower decision makers and aid collaboration.