Mandatory digital ID launch called 'a fiasco' by scrutiny committee

"“The government's early attempts to set out its plans for digital ID were nothing short of a fiasco. ”To the public this announcement came out of the blue and made little sense. ”It raised fears of government over-reach into people's lives and was so poorly thought out that they had few answers to ease these concerns.”"

"“Public opinion had broadly been in favour of moving away from paper to digital ID before they were ‘spooked’ by ‘badly explained’ plans.”"

"“The government is still pressing ahead with making digital identification, in the form of an app stored on smartphones, similar to digital bank cards, available to those who want one.”"

"“The ID will include information on the holders' residency status, name, date of birth, nationality and their photo, which can be used to be used to verify a person's age and their right to live and work in the UK.”"

Plans for government-issued digital ID for all British adults were criticized as a fiasco by the Home Affairs select committee. The government initially announced compulsory digital ID for workers, including a mandatory “Britcard,” to tackle illegal working, but reversed course after major public backlash. The committee chair said the announcement arrived unexpectedly, lacked clear explanations, and raised fears of government overreach due to poor planning. Public support for moving from paper to digital existed before people were “spooked” by badly explained proposals. The government continues to offer a non-compulsory smartphone app containing residency status, name, date of birth, nationality, and photo for verifying age and the right to live and work in the UK.

Read at www.bbc.com