The UK wants mandatory digital ID – but over one million Brits are demanding to scrap the plan over privacy concerns

• A petition to scrap the plan for mandatory digital ID cards has already reached over one million signatures in just a day
• Critics are warning against the risk of mass surveillance and digital control
• This echoed the privacy and security concerns coming from civil societies and other politicians

A staggering number of Brits are asking the government to refrain from introducing mandatory digital ID cards.

Over one million Brits have already signed a petition asking to repeal the plan in just a day, with the number of signatures growing every minute.

Speaking from a conference in London on Friday (September 26), UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed that the digital ID scheme will help combat illegal immigration. The scheme also promises to make it easier for citizens to use vital government services.

This means that, contrary to other countries that have already rolled out some forms of digital ID, every adult in the UK will be required to have the so-called "Brit card" to prove they have the right to live and work in the country.

"We think this would be a step towards mass surveillance and digital control, and that no one should be forced to register with a state-controlled ID system," reads the petition, pointing out that "ID cards were scrapped in 2010, in our view for good reason."

The sentiment of the public echoed the concerns coming from civil societies and political ranks alike. Advocates at the Big Brother Watch already deemed digital ID as "Big Brother in your pocket" back in January, when the first draft of the scheme was unveiled.

Can Brit cards be private and secure?

In its official announcement, the UK government ensured that the digital ID scheme is "designed with best-in-class security at its core" and "credentials will be stored directly on people’s own device."

The system, the government explained, uses "state-of-the-art encryption and authentication technology" to keep data private and secure.

These details don't seem to be enough to convince critics, though.

According to Silkie Carlo, Director of UK-based privacy advocate group Big Brother Watch, digital IDs won't do anything to stop illegal immigrants from getting into the UK. But they will rather make Britain less free and safe.

"Incredibly sensitive information about each and every one of us would be hoarded by the state and vulnerable to cyber attacks," Carlo wrote.

After all, the UK public system has a bad track record in keeping people's data safe. In March last year, for example, a ransomware gang hacked into NHS Dumfries and Galloway's digital database and stole 3TB of identifying information belonging to both staff and patients.

Then there's the Online Safety Act, which experts warn could still pose a threat to strong encryption.

The Brit card scheme isn't exactly convincing the political world, either.

Former Labour MP Zarah Sultana deemed mandatory digital ID as "digital checkpoints," which would lead Britons to live their daily lives in "constant surveillance."

On a similar note, the leader of Reform UK, Nigel Farage, said that he is "firmly opposed" to the proposal, arguing that "it will make no difference to illegal immigration, but it will be used to control and penalise the rest of us."

Critical voices even come from within Starmer's party, with Nadia Whittome labeling the plan as "divisive, authoritarian nonsense."

What's next?

Parliament should be set to consider the petition for debate now that it's received more than 100,000 signatures. So, we have to wait and see what the response will be.

Starmer remains confident that the plan would help crack down on illegal working and promote the country's digitalization, describing digital ID as "an enormous opportunity for the UK."

The government is now set to "listen to a range of views on how the service will be delivered" as part of a public consultation later in the year.

If successful, the UK will join a few European nations that have already rolled out their own iteration under the EU Digital Identity Wallet scheme. With a big difference, though: Brits will be forced to join, no matter if they wish to or not.

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