The UK Government has announced that it will introduce a new digital ID scheme, which it claims will help combat illegal working while making it easier for the vast majority of people to use vital government services. In this briefing, we examine the proposal, the experiences of other countries and the challenges the scheme faces.
The UK has had mandatory ID schemes in the past and there are several voluntary forms of ID in Scotland and the UK. While the UK Government argues the scheme is not mandatory, it will be required to seek work, which fairly close to manadatory for most citizens. Mandatory and non-compulsory schemes are common worldwide, although many have limited uses.
There are a wide range of concerns from those who oppose the scheme. These include cost, data security, surveillance and mission creep. Public opinion has been fairly relaxed about ID schemes, but recent polling may indicate a shift against.
We conclude, as Liberty puts it, “Digital ID could be an essential tool for every digital citizen, or a nightmarish surveillance system.” The consultation paper needs to address the issues set out above and we will follow the debate with interest.