Ministers are facing strong opposition to their proposal to introduce digital identification, with concerns being raised over privacy and surveillance issues. The plan under consideration by the Government involves the requirement for individuals to verify their right to work in the UK using digital ID. Critics, including MPs, have expressed fears that personal data could be vulnerable to hackers and that the government might have excessive surveillance capabilities.
A petition against the plan has garnered over 2.9 million signatures, calling for its cancellation. In defense of the initiative, Labour frontbencher Ian Murray dismissed criticisms as myths and emphasized the aim of enhancing the connection between citizens and the government. SNP MP Pete Wishart described digital ID as foreign to the British public and cautioned against the potential risks of allowing government access to vast amounts of personal data, especially under a different leadership.
Murray clarified that digital ID would not be mandatory, likening it to the requirement for a passport when traveling by air. He emphasized that individuals would not be compelled to present or carry the proposed identification cards, which he confirmed would not be named BritCards as previously suggested.
Opponents of the plan, including Wishart and former Tory minister Sir David Davis, raised alarm about the potential consequences of widespread data exposure and misuse by malicious actors. Despite these concerns, a think-tank called Labour Together endorsed the use of a smartphone app for ID verification, citing efficiency in right-to-rent and right-to-work checks.
Labour MPs Jake Richards and Adam Jogee highlighted the broad scope of the proposed ID system, intended to facilitate the verification of individuals’ right to reside and work in the UK. The group estimated the setup costs for the scheme to range between £140 million and £400 million, emphasizing the expected improvements in rule enforcement through digital ID.
Several countries, such as Estonia, Denmark, Spain, Canada, Australia, and Japan, have already implemented digital ID systems. This move reflects a global trend towards utilizing digital technologies for identification and verification purposes.