"Starmer launched the national digital ID scheme by pitching it as a means to control undocumented immigration, through making use of a government app mandatory when employers conduct right-to-work checks. The plan brought an instant backlash from civil rights groups and privacy campaigners, as well as widespread criticism from the tech sector, where digital identity providers have been encouraged for many years to go through a rigorous compliance process to achieve accreditation on a government-approved register of digital verification services."
"Since then, the government has gradually changed its rhetoric, moving away from the contentious focus on undocumented immigration and attempting to present its plans as a way to make digital public services more modern and efficient. As a result, the government has now removed the compulsory element of the proposed scheme in advance of a consultation on national digital ID, which is due to commence soon."
The UK government reversed plans to make its national digital ID app mandatory for right-to-work checks, removing the compulsory element of the scheme. The original proposal tied the app to controlling undocumented immigration by requiring employers to use a government app for checks. Civil rights groups, privacy campaigners, the tech sector, startups and investors criticized the mandatory approach and warned it could harm market development. A petition with over three million signatures and a parliamentary debate increased pressure. The government shifted rhetoric toward modernizing digital public services and will proceed to a consultation where the app will be one option among others.
Read at ComputerWeekly.com
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