Two new contracts have been secured by Experian to deliver digital ID software as part of its Digital Identity Programme worth a total spend of £11m. Reportedly, the programme spent £33 million in issued contracts this year. Experian has been appointed as the contractor covering services for identity fraud detection, in a deal worth £9.1 million, and email and phone validation.
Although few details surrounding the contracts have been made public, the deal is confirmed to be for 2 years with the option to extend for another year. They were closed on 16 March and commenced on 21 July 2022.
Moreover, contracts were awarded to iProov and Deloitte in July and February, which created a momentum in advancing digital services within national government, which the government oversees across multiple sectors and enterprises. As such, the government in general has been advancing its use of digital identity for both the private sector, for example implementing digital verification for its Right to Work and Buy schemes, and for Government services.
In the development of a mobile app to verify digital users of government services, iProov is integrating its biometrics technology and genuine document authentication software, while Deloitte has provided professional services in a £4.8 million contract.
Deloitte is now working on the government-wide verification system, called One Login, for citizen services which has achieved many breakthroughs already, including delivering “an initial version of [the web] browser-based route” which is built upon a “passport check and knowledge-based verification” system.
One Login will allow users with Android and Apple devices to verify who they are by scanning biometric document, for example a passport or driving licence, and will eventually replace verification systems like Government Gateway.
Across other areas of Government, Companies House will introduce a digital identity system to approve people who are looking to set up and register a new business in the UK. A vendor to supply the identity system is yet to be decided.
In a corporate plan outlining how digital ID promises to strengthen the verification process, Louise Smyth, Chief Executive and Registrar of Companies, wrote that to confirm the credibility of registered businesses and accurate information is published, anyone “setting up, running, owning or controlling a company in the UK will need to verify their identity with Companies House to provide assurance that they are who they claim to be”.
