The UK Government's flagship digital identity policy has been declared 'irrecoverable' by campaigners, who told a committee of MPs that public trust has been irreparably damaged.
Public Trust Eroded, Campaigners Warn
Appearing before the cross-party Home Affairs Select Committee, Silkie Carlo, the director of the pressure group Big Brother Watch, stated that the policy's botched introduction has made it unsalvageable. She expressed scepticism shared by many, stating, "I don't think anyone in this room genuinely believes that the mandatory digital ID is about illegal working."
This sentiment is echoed by the public, with a petition calling for the proposal to be scrapped garnering a massive 2.9 million signatures. Ms Carlo informed the MPs that their constituents are "up in arms" about the plans, largely because they suspect the digital ID system will be used for purposes beyond the stated goal of tackling illegal migration.
A Clash of Visions: Security vs. Liberty
The government, with backing from Prime Minister Keir Starmer, intends to make digital identification compulsory to prove the right to work in the UK by 2029. Supporters, including the think-tank Labour Together and the Tony Blair Institute, argue that a free-to-use 'BritCard' or smartphone app would streamline checks for employment and renting.
Alexander Iosad from the Tony Blair Institute told MPs that such a system would modernise public services, making them more personalised and preventative. He argued that it would "put citizens in control of their own data" and bring the UK in line with other nations where satisfaction with public services has "rapidly improved" with similar rollouts.
Warnings of Potential for Abuse
However, critics have raised significant alarms about the potential for abuse and data security. James Baker, a program manager at the Open Rights Group, urged MPs to consider the risks if inadequate safeguards were in place.
"Imagine the person you disagree with most in politics... Imagine what they could do with this type of system," he cautioned. He highlighted a key concern for the UK, noting, "we don't have a written constitution that has privacy protections," which leaves citizens vulnerable to data leaks and state overreach.
Despite the government's assurances, the controversy surrounding the digital ID scheme shows no signs of abating, with its future now appearing deeply uncertain.
