On September 26, Prime Minister Keir Starmer unveiled the Digital ID plans, saying the system will provide free and secure digital identification for all UK citizens and legal residents.
It will allow users to store verified information such as their name, date of birth, residency status, and photo securely on a smartphone.
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According to the government, the Digital ID will make it easier to access public services, rent property, and prove the right to work in the UK.
There will be strong privacy protections and biometric verification included, and users will have control over what information they share.
By 2029, everyone will have to use the Digital ID to prove they can legally work in the UK.
For other things, like renting a home or claiming benefits, using it will be optional.
Liberty and Big Brother Watch have warned that the Digital ID could put people’s privacy and personal data at risk.
The Open Rights Group says it might let the government monitor citizens more closely and reduce personal freedoms.
Supporters, including former Home Secretaries and the Tony Blair Institute, say the system could cut fraud, make proving your identity easier, and modernise access to public services.
The government has announced that non-digital alternatives will be available for those without smartphones or who are unable to use the app.
Digital ID trials are expected to commence in the coming months, with a wider rollout planned for the next few years.
The Prime Minister has described the Digital ID system as an “enormous opportunity” for the UK.
He said it would combat illegal working, enhance border security, and simplify access to essential services for citizens.
