Reminder that the UK arrests 12000/year for online posts, by far the most in the West.
The UK already has government issued ID, the proof of age card. This is about tying your identity to your online behaviour.
Britain to introduce compulsory digital ID for workers
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Re: Britain to introduce compulsory digital ID for workers
#12I’ve always lived in places where having an ID on you has been part of your “citizen responsibilities”. So reading the post my feeling was “oh cool, they’re getting a new eID-like system”. But I imagine it’s a huge step if folks could get by without an ID at all.
Re: Britain to introduce compulsory digital ID for workers
#13didn't they try that 20 years ago and repeal? and back then it was voluntary.
Re: Britain to introduce compulsory digital ID for workers
#14Having just paid a small fortune to renew my passport. I'm not super excited about this, especially as I live outside the UK. I also don't trust them not to make a complete hash of all this, removing all potential utility while simultaneously increasing the chances of my ID being stolen. sigh
As an American it seems to me that the UK government insists on finding a way to upset all sides on any given issue like illegal immigration. If anything it's the singular and unique skill of Whitehall.
Re: Britain to introduce compulsory digital ID for workers
#15This appears to just be an extension (in free app form) of the UK government “One Login” system used to get access to most government web services. This currently has about 12 million users.
https://www.gov.uk/using-your-gov-uk-one-login
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/sep/25/keir-starme...
Re: Britain to introduce compulsory digital ID for workers
#16Do they not already have the equivalent of a US social security card? (For the employment eligibility, not the program benefits.) Is this something much different from that?
You aren't required to show your social security card to your employer. You aren't even required to have the physical card for almost all purposes. It specifically says on the card, and in other places that it is not to be used for identification.
Re: Britain to introduce compulsory digital ID for workers
#17I'm not clear if this is digital ONLY or if I people can choose to carry a physical card when required, instead of a smartphone.
If it's the former, then it means it's now mandatory for all British citizens to become customers of the Google/Apple duopoly LOL
Re: Britain to introduce compulsory digital ID for workers
#18Having just paid a small fortune to renew my passport. I'm not super excited about this, especially as I live outside the UK. I also don't trust them not to make a complete hash of all this, removing all potential utility while simultaneously increasing the chances of my ID being stolen. sigh
As an American it seems to me that the UK government insists on finding a way to upset all sides on any given issue like illegal immigration. If anything it's the singular and unique skill of Whitehall.
A good compromise leaves everyone mad.
Re: Britain to introduce compulsory digital ID for workers
#19Do they not already have the equivalent of a US social security card? (For the employment eligibility, not the program benefits.) Is this something much different from that?
You aren't required to show your social security card to your employer. You aren't even required to have the physical card for almost all purposes. It specifically says on the card, and in other places that it is not to be used for identification. https://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/assets/EN-05-10553.pdf
> It specifically says on the card, and in other places that it is not to be used for identification.
The US tried that back when Social Security Numbers were introduced. It specifically said it was for tax-purposes (a context where it might've been adequately-secure) and not to be used for anything else.
Yet without any actual penalties against "other places", it got misused everywhere by companies trying to save a buck on primary-key choice and authenticating people.
Re: Britain to introduce compulsory digital ID for workers
#20Earlier quoted context omitted.
As an American it seems to me that the UK government insists on finding a way to upset all sides on any given issue like illegal immigration. If anything it's the singular and unique skill of Whitehall.
A good compromise leaves everyone mad.
A good compromise leaves everyone dissatisfied. A bad deal leaves everyone mad.