Ministers are facing strong opposition regarding the proposed implementation of digital identification. The government is considering a requirement for individuals to provide identification to confirm their eligibility to work in the UK. Concerns have been raised by Members of Parliament who fear that personal data could be vulnerable to hackers and that government surveillance could extend to monitoring citizens’ activities.
A petition with over 2.9 million signatories has called for the abandonment of the plan. Labour frontbencher Ian Murray defended the proposal against what he described as misconceptions, emphasizing that the aim is to establish a closer relationship between citizens and the government.
During a debate in Westminster Hall, SNP MP Pete Wishart criticized the concept of digital ID as unfamiliar to the British public and expressed unease about the potential implications of individuals like Nigel Farage gaining access to vast amounts of data.
Murray countered by clarifying that digital ID would not be obligatory, drawing a comparison to the requirement of a passport for air travel. He stressed that individuals would not be compelled to present their digital ID on a regular basis, and assured that the cards would not be named BritCards as previously suggested.
Opposition to the plans continued, with concerns raised by Tory former minister Sir David Davis about the risks of exposing the entire population’s data to malicious entities once the system is operational. Proponents of the digital ID scheme, such as Labour Together, highlighted the potential benefits of streamlined processes for verifying individuals’ right to reside and work in the UK.
The proposed digital ID initiative aims to enhance border security and enforcement of regulations, citing successful implementations in countries like Estonia, Denmark, Spain, Canada, Australia, and Japan. The estimated setup costs range from £140 million to £400 million, with proponents emphasizing the potential for significant improvements in rule enforcement through digital identification.