We’ve got everything on our phones now so why not passports? An encrypted app would mean having a convenient ID on your phone

Nothing matches that instant of cold fear when you realise you’re a long way from an essential item that you’ll need imminently. “You’ve brought some identification, haven’t you?” asked my wife as we headed off to the premiere of Spectre (where the presence of royalty might mean proving your identity before entering the premises).

Ah. Well, that depends. I had tickets, a credit card and a smartphone. Would any of those count as “identity”? And what on earth is identity these days?