Since the day the UK government’s digital ID scheme was announced, it has come under attack from Conservatives and the public.
The government will launch a final public consultation to seek reinforcement about the system, asking 100 participants to be part of a “People’s Panel”. The proposal has been revamped to gain public approval; initially launching as a mandatory scheme, it will now be voluntary.
Mr Kier Starmer backed the scheme to verify a citizen’s right to work and live in the UK, calling it “enormous opportunity”, before making a hard U-turn on aligning the digital ID with the current political debate on immigration.
Ministers are now pitching the digital ID as a convenient solution to make it easier for people to access public services, whilst hoping it can reverse false perceptions about how it intends to use the technology.
Critics raised concerns over individual’s privacy, despite the wealth of known benefits regarding digital IDs.
