– Maisie
Imagine if your passport, driver’s licence, and National Insurance number could all fit into one secure app on your phone. It sounds convenient, easily accessible and safety assured, yet, it poses significant risks to privacy and data security. That is the idea behind the UK’s new digital ID system, known as the BritCard.
A digital ID is ultimately an electronic version of your official identification. Instead of carrying physical documents, it could be proved exactly who you are with a few taps on your phone. The UK government plans to introduce the BritCard by 2029, starting with mandatory use for Right to Work checks, meaning employers will have to verify people’s identity through the system before hiring. Sir Keir Stamar, examined India’s digital ID system on his visit to Mumbai as a potential model for the UK, praising the system as a “massive success”. He said it made identification easier, faster, and more secure. No more lost documents or long forms; just a digital wallet with all the important details.
Supporters of the BritCard explained that it cuts down on fraud and fake IDs; amplifying how we access public services like tax, benefits, or the NHS; it saved time and money for both citizens and businesses. Supporters claim that it makes identity simple, safe, and modern. “The world is going digital — and so should our ID.” At the moment, it is easy to borrow, steal or use someone else’s National Insurance number and that is part of the problem in the shadow economy like people sharing National Insurance numbers for example. In theory, digital IDs make it harder to abuse that system.
However, privacy campaigners think it is not that simple. Groups like Big Brother Watch warn that digital IDs could give the government too much power to track people and mass surveillance. “If you need an ID to get a job today, what will you need it for tomorrow?” asked Silkie Carlo, the group’s director. Other concerns include the potential for government overreach and the system being difficult for some citizens to use. There are also concerns about data breaches; hackers accessing the system; digital exclusion and people who do not own smartphones or struggle with technology. “Digital ID might be convenient for some,” says Age UK adviser Jane McDonald, “but it could leave millions of older or vulnerable people behind.”
The BritCard has already sparked petitions, protests, and political arguments. Opposition parties say the government must guarantee strong privacy laws, independent oversight, and non-digital options before making anything mandatory. Others argue that the UK should learn from countries like Estonia, where digital IDs work well because citizens control their data and privacy is protected by strict laws. Like many new technologies, digital IDs have pros and cons. They could make life easier but they could also cause harm in corrupt hands. For now, the BritCard is still being developed, and the government promises more details soon. Whether it becomes a success or a scandal may depend on how much trust people have in the system.
Would you be happy to use a digital ID instead of a passport or driving licence? Or does it feel like one step too far into a world where everything, even your identity, is online?