The good intention and impetus behind the Data Protection and Digital Information (DPDI) Bill has been overshadowed by Parliament’s ‘wash-up’ period.

While it’s frustrating to see the DPDI Bill fail – the consequences of such being an exacerbated lack of trust in digital identity systems and a more dangerous digital world – it’s important we call on any new government to ensure the Bill survives.

With recent Ofcom research finding that nearly half of children aged 8-15 have accounts claiming they are 16 or older, it’s clear we can no longer attempt to keep the web safe for underage users without identity verification, something the DPDI Bill could have, and still could, ensure.