The UK government has reversed course on plans to make a mandatory digital ID a requirement for employment checks, following intense public and political opposition. Privacy concerns and fears of expanded state surveillance played a central role in reshaping the policy.
Digital ID Plan Dropped After Public Opposition
Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government has scrapped proposals that would have required workers to verify their right to work using a centralized government-issued digital ID, instead of traditional documents such as passports. Critics argued the system risked creating an overcentralized database of sensitive personal information, vulnerable to misuse and cyberattacks.
Opposition came from across the political spectrum, civil liberties organizations, and the public. Nearly three million people signed a parliamentary petition opposing the move, warning it could lead to wider use of digital ID in areas such as housing, banking, and voting.
Officials confirmed that digital right-to-work checks will continue, but when the UK’s digital ID framework launches around 2029, it will be optional rather than compulsory. Workers will be allowed to use alternative electronic documents, reducing concerns over a single identifier controlling access to employment.
The rollback reflects growing unease over linking basic rights to centralized digital identity systems. Similar debates are unfolding across Europe, where policymakers are exploring privacy-preserving technologies that allow identity verification without exposing full personal data. The UK’s decision highlights how public trust and data protection are increasingly shaping digital policy decisions.
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