UK Government Shifts Digital ID Plan to Voluntary Scheme After Committee Criticism

A UK parliamentary committee has described the government's initial launch of digital ID plans as a fiasco. The home affairs select committee examined the sequence of announcements and policy changes that began last year. The government first announced plans for a compulsory digital ID for workers in September last year. Three months later it reversed that position after public opposition.

Bradley said the early announcement came without sufficient explanation. She stated that the plans raised concerns about government access to personal data and lacked answers to address those concerns. The committee report noted that public opinion had previously favored moving from paper to digital identification. It added that poorly explained proposals had reduced support for the idea.

The government is now developing a voluntary digital ID app for smartphones. The app would store residency status, name, date of birth, nationality, and a photo for verification of age and work rights. Dame Karen Bradley said the shift away from a mandatory requirement was welcome.

She added that the government should have conducted consultation before rather than after the initial announcement. The government has stated it will not create a central database for the digital ID system. It has also launched an eight-week consultation and formed a panel of 100 people to advise on the scheme.