Can digital IDs restore trust in public services?

A post by LabourList in support of digital IDs discusses that the development of the new scheme presents an important challenge for the UK government: delivering a secure, trusted service that avoids becoming a political controversy symbolising state overreach. The failure to build public belief in the scheme could lead to it being framed as a tool for control, echoing the public suspicion and criticism that recently impacted the Online Safety Act 2023 (OSA).

The post argues that a well-designed digital ID offers the opportunity to decentralise control, giving individuals greater power over who accesses their data, while simultaneously cutting fraud, simplifying service access, and saving money. However, this depends entirely on public trust.

Securing public confidence is essential, particularly given the recent series of major cyber incidents and IT failures across the UK. 

To succeed politically and technically, officials must ensure the digital ID feels like a service built for people, not done to them. The government must speak the language of trust, be clear about privacy safeguards, be transparent about data control, and be willing to listen to concerns. By collaborating with civil society and professional bodies to establish high standards and ethics, the digital ID can become a tool for social renewal, rebuilding confidence in the state's ability to deliver modern, secure services.