Millions offered ‘safer, faster’ way to log in to government services

More than 23 million people will be able to use passkeys to access government services, as the technology is rolled out across GOV.UK One Login.

Passkeys allow people to sign in using a fingerprint, Face ID or a device PIN instead of entering a password. The technology is designed to make logging in both quicker and more secure, with passkey sign-ins taking up to eight times less time than using a username, password and two-step verification code.

GOV.UK One Login provides access to a growing range of public services, including checking a State Pension, managing tax services, accessing childcare support and renewing a driving licence.

More than 300,000 people successfully used passkeys during an initial trial, and the technology is now being made available to millions more users.

Nearly one in 10 daily GOV.UK One Login sign-ins are already being made using passkeys. The government says their use is also helping reduce the cost of sending SMS verification codes, saving taxpayers almost £600 a day.

Security is another key benefit. Unlike passwords, passkeys are linked to a particular device and website, making them much harder for criminals to steal or reuse. They can also help protect users from phishing attacks, where scammers attempt to trick people into entering their login details on fake websites.

Importantly, the biometric information or PIN used to unlock a passkey remains on the user’s device. GOV.UK One Login does not see or store this information.

Digital Government Minister Stephanie Peacock said: ‘Nobody enjoys hunting for a forgotten password or waiting for a text message code just to check their tax return or renew a document. Passkeys mean people can access the services they rely on in seconds, using the same fingerprint or face scan they already use to unlock their phone.

This is about making government services simpler and safer for everyone, while giving people stronger protection against the fraudsters who target passwords.’

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) also recommends passkeys as a more secure alternative to passwords. Jonathon Ellison, NCSC Director for National Resilience, said: ‘Cyber criminals often look for the easiest route to access important accounts, which means login details remain a common target. But passkeys offer a highly phishing-resistant alternative to passwords, frustrating attackers and saving the public time.’

Passkeys will remain optional for GOV.UK One Login users. People who do not want to use them can continue signing in with a password.

The technology is becoming increasingly common across online services, with major platforms adopting passkeys as an alternative to traditional passwords. For government users, the rollout could mean fewer passwords to remember, fewer text messages to wait for and greater protection against online scams.

Photo: madartzgraphics