Why people are wrong to assume digital IDs are harmless

In an op-ed for The Standard, Rebecca Vincent, Interim Director at Big Brother Watch, argues that a universal digital ID system, reportedly being considered by the government, would fundamentally upend civil liberties. Vincent believes that such a mandatory scheme, regardless of its name, would turn Britain into a "papers, please" society, creating significant burdens for citizens and employers.

Vincent claims that a digital ID would not be a solution for issues like illegal migration, but would instead force law-abiding citizens onto a system prone to the same failures and inaccuracies seen with the e-visa system. Vincent also raises concerns about digital inclusion, stating that the proposal makes insufficient provision for the vulnerable, including the elderly, poor, and those with low digital literacy, which could have a discriminatory and racialised impact.

Furthermore, she warns that a mandatory digital ID would give the government unprecedented access to and control over citizens' personal data, creating an attractive target for hackers.