Why in news?
Britain is introducing a new nationwide digital ID card system, with mandatory enrollment for all citizens and legal residents who wish to work in the country, aiming to streamline government services and curb illegal employment.
 
Key Features and Implementation

• The digital ID will be required to prove the right to work; employers must check the digital ID of new hires as paper-based checks and National Insurance number validation will be removed from the process.
• It will also facilitate faster and easier access to government services like welfare benefits, tax records, driving licenses, and childcare, replacing multiple paper documents.
• The ID is stored securely on a mobile phone; there is no legal requirement to carry it all the time.

Policy Objectives

• Main goals include making it significantly harder for undocumented migrants to work and reducing identity fraud, while simultaneously simplifying access to essential public and private services for legal residents.
• The scheme mirrors digital ID concepts already in use in the NHS app and digital banking, with a focus on data security and privacy.

Public Debate and Concerns

• While polling now shows majority public support for national digital IDs, the move has reignited debates around privacy, surveillance, and data protection, given Britain’s history of resistance to compulsory ID cards after WWII.
• The government assures that the police will not have the power to randomly demand to see a citizen’s digital ID, and a robust consultation process is promised to address concerns.

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