ID checks are now required in Utah. Now, everybody who wants to buy alcohol, no matter if it’s at Walmart or bars and restaurants, must show an ID to be able to buy them. Age is not a requirement, you can be 80 years old and you still must show an ID. As you can imagine this law has started a debate on privacy and worries many bar owners, especially because Utah will host a major international sports event in the future. So, let’s learn more about this situation.
Changes with the new Utah law
This law makes every store, including the 59 Walmarts of the state, to ask for an ID to anybody buying alcohol. Before, workers could make the decision based on the customer’s appearance: if the person looked older than 21 years old, they wouldn’t normally ask for ID. This is now impossible because the law clearly says:
- It doesn’t matter if the customer is 21, 40, 60 or 80 years old, the store must ask for their ID.
- Workers don’t have to scan the ID at supermarkets or grocery stores, it’s okay to just see the ID and calculate the age.
- Restaurants and bars must ask for their ID all the time.
The goal with this change is to reduce cases of people who drive under the effects of alcohol, something that worries Utah authorities.
Why showing the ID all the time
The main reason is that Utah wants to control who buys and consumes alcohol. Even though it seems exaggerated to ask the ID to people who are clearly adult or even old, the law was created to make no distinctions and avoid mistakes or risky situations.
The state even publicly said: “Regardless of age or appearance, prepare to have your ID checked.” This is done at places including:
- Walmart.
- Supermarkets.
- Restaurants.
- Bars.
- Taverns.
- Places that sell alcohol and have separate areas.
- Establishments with controlled entrances.
What’s more, some businesses, especially bars and certain restaurants, must install special scanners to read IDs before allowing people to enter.
Atmosphere
The law has not been well received among many people. Some bar owners have said that asking for ID regularly, even when they know the clients for years, can make the atmosphere less friendly. They believe it takes away the personal connection that bartenders often have with returning customers.
Others fear that tourists visiting Utah, including those going to the 2034 Winter Olympics, complain or leave negative reviews online.
Privacy
Another concern about this change is privacy. Some cybersecurity experts explained that scanning an ID means the machine obtains personal data, and it’s not always clear where that data is kept or how it’s used.
One expert said that he wouldn’t let anyone scan any document because he thinks the risk is too high. This opinion is not something new, in 2028, another expert warned about the dangers of scanning driving licenses because the information could be sent, kept, or used without customers knowing that.
So…
Now, it’s important that if you live or visit Utah you have your ID ready if you want to buy alcohol. Do you think this new law will achieve the goal of reducing drunk driving and making alcohol sales safer? We’ll see if it has a positive impact and it doesn’t affect the economic activity of businesses in the state.