U.K. set to launch controversial DIGITAL ID system in 2025, sparking privacy concerns

12/13/2024 / By Kevin Hughes

The United Kingdom plans to launch a digital identification system utilizing smartphones and facial recognition technology to streamline government functions, from alcohol purchases to tax payments.
The initiative aims to improve efficiency in various sectors, including veteran services, through digital veteran cards, and will allow young people to use government-backed digital IDs to prove age for alcohol purchases.
Individuals can sign up with certified digital ID companies to access government services through apps on their smartphones, but critics warn of potential state overreach and a two-tiered society.
Critics like David Kurten of the U.K. Heritage Party voice concerns about digital IDs becoming mandatory and the potential for government control, citing examples from the pandemic-era vaccine passport debates.
The debate over digital IDs highlights the tension between technological convenience and the preservation of privacy, with critics pointing to potential surveillance state implications and the erosion of civil liberties.

The United Kingdom is set to roll out a digital identification system in 2025.

The new initiative, which will utilize smartphones and facial recognition technology, aims to streamline various government functions, from purchasing alcohol and accessing veteran services to paying taxes and accessing bank accounts.

According to government sources, the digital ID system, available through certified companies, will allow individuals to prove their age and identity instantly when entering pubs, clubs and shops, as well as for various online transactions. (Related: U.S. states are passing internet age verification laws as a cover to compel people into using digital IDs.)

The technology promises more efficient service delivery, particularly for veterans, who will gain quicker access to support programs through digital veteran cards.

“Young people will be able to use government-backed digital ID cards to prove they are old enough to drink alcohol under legal changes to take effect next year,” the Telegraph said in a report Sunday, Dec. 8. “They will be able to sign up to digital ID companies that are certified against Government-set standards for security and reliability and then use the app on their smartphone to prove they are over 18 when visiting pubs, restaurants and shops. It is part of a wider effort to move more state functions online so that people can prove their identity for everything from paying taxes to opening a bank account using the government-backed app.”

Critics raise concerns over potential STATE OVERREACH

Critics, however, have raised significant concerns over the potential for state overreach and the creation of a two-tiered society. David Kurten, leader of the U.K. Heritage Party, warns that the program could eventually become mandatory, leading to a scenario where those without digital IDs face discrimination and barriers in accessing services.

Another point of contention is the potential for the government to remotely disable digital IDs, effectively barring individuals from essential activities if they are deemed to have violated unspecified norms. Critics liken this to social credit systems, which they claim can be used to monitor and control citizen behavior.

The push for digital IDs has also been linked to previous efforts to implement vaccine passports during the pandemic. Kurten warns that the current approach, promising convenience and ease of access, could quickly shift to more stringent control measures, mirroring the progression from medical workers to children being targeted for vaccinations.

Government officials insist that the digital ID system will not be mandatory, but critics point out that many voluntary programs eventually become compulsory. The latter also argue that the potential integration of digital IDs into routine shopping experiences is particularly disconcerting, suggesting that the technology may be used to monitor consumer behavior and further erode privacy.

Furthermore, the European Union’s plan to fingerprint all travelers in 2025, including those from visa-exempt countries like the United States, adds to the growing scrutiny surrounding digital identification technologies. According to critics, these moves represent a significant shift in how governments handle personal data and identity verification, with serious implications for civil liberties.

The debate over the digital ID system underscores the ongoing tension between government convenience and individual rights in the digital age. The introduction of the digital ID system in the U.K. reflects a broader global trend towards digital identity management.

While the government argues that the technology will enhance efficiency and security, opponents fear it could mark the beginning of a surveillance state, further complicating the relationship between governments and their citizens.

Follow PrivacyWatch.news for more news about the digital ID system.

Watch this clip about the Australian government officially passing the digital ID bill in the Land Down Under.

This video is from the Fritjof Persson channel on Brighteon.com.