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Britain to introduce compulsory digital ID for workers

reuters.com

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Re: Britain to introduce compulsory digital ID for workers

#351

Post by astonex »

motbus3 wrote: post #315
Lio wrote: post #290

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think it's 100% about the data. I beleive that Labour see this new ID system as the solution to all the age verification questions now required by the Online Safety Act. e.g. access to things like Reddit, BlueSky messaging, Spotify. With that in mind I think new data you're talking about will be enhanced tracking and monitoring on everyday online activity of UK citizens.

I don't think it is only online. It is really a distopean future in US and UK right now. I honestly understand the problem with immigration, but at the same time, I think this way of approaching the problem is just to create "the enemy" from 1984. It seems that immigrants right now move something between 4B-10B a month in UK which is not a small number. Considering the costs elsewhere altogether, it seems quite small…

>It is really a distopean future in US and UK right now.

This ignores the fact that most of Europe and Asia already have national IDs

Re: Britain to introduce compulsory digital ID for workers

#352

Post by anotherhue »

michaelt wrote: post #341
astonex wrote: post #304

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A Brit can pass a RTW check without a drivers license or a passport - a paper birth certificate is also acceptable (and paper can be lost, damaged, forged), as neither a drivers license or a passport a mandatory. Getting those can be expensive for some people while this ID is free. A NI number is not ID, it's a reporting number. Lastly, a national ID is a tried and tested scheme in many, many countries and brings a l…

> A Brit can pass a RTW check without a drivers license or a passport - paper birth certificate is also acceptable, as neither a drivers license or a passport a mandatory. Getting those can be expensive for some people while this ID is free. This policy would absolutely sail through, with no controversy at all, if it had just been "free passports for all" reusing all the existing rules, existing IT and existing burea…

How are the consulting companies supposed to make money with that kind of attitude?

Re: Britain to introduce compulsory digital ID for workers

#353

Post by FirmwareBurner »

somelamer567 wrote: post #292
billyjobob wrote: post #279

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The fact that the UK doesn’t allow “impromptu checks”, otherwise known as “Papers please!” is not a bug, it’s a feature that distinguishes our democracy from other states and we are pretty proud of it.

That unfortunately can, and will change. In times of war, civil liberties get curtailed. And in 2025 when Russian and Chinese bots are interfering in our democracy at an industrial scale to destroy our countries from within, the idea of identity being overlooked for all aspects of public life is looking increasingly untenable.

Sorry but my own corrupt politicians and ruling business class are doing far more damage to my country than Russian ad Chinese bots.

Re: Britain to introduce compulsory digital ID for workers

#354

Post by einarfd »

If you look at the countries that are lauded at having the best online government services. They all have some type of digital ID.

Having something like that is imo. a cornerstone for building out top notch digital governmental services, and I don't fault the UK for trying to get this in place.

That being said, I'm not convinced it will be that much of a blocker for illegal workers. I'm sure they will find a way around it.

Re: Britain to introduce compulsory digital ID for workers

#355

Post by mytailorisrich »

ryukafalz wrote: post #345

In addition to all the issues mentioned in the article, this seems to mean that UK citizens will effectively be forced to accept the terms of service of one of two US companies (Apple or Google). If you must have either an Android or iOS device to run this digital ID app (which presumably will be distributed via the Play Store on Android), there's no other option!

For me a big red flag is that the government is using deceit and dishonesty to push this: "in an effort to crack down on illegal migrant workers" is complete, transparent rubbish.

Re: Britain to introduce compulsory digital ID for workers

#356

Post by astonex »

motbus3 wrote: post #305

Can anyone really point me out the real problem about the immigrants? How big is it compared to, for example the lack of funding of the NHS or the hyper funding of other initiatives such as war in Ukraine. Or are those things somehow related? I would be crazily scared to know that immigrant care workers will leave NHS as most hospitals relies on them. The government already made clear they won't pay people more nor w…

>Can anyone really point me out the real problem about the immigrants?

This minimises the problem. The UK voters have consistently voted for reduced immigration, with polls showing the preferred number to be somewhere between 0-100,000. Those elected have consistently ignored them which has raised tensions.

In the last few years, the UK had around 1 million people net per year. 1 million people is bigger than most cities in the UK for comparison, so imagine a new city of people, every single year. The infrastructure could not, or did not keep up and has contributed to worse living standards through overly-subscribed national services, increased living costs, etc.

>for example the lack of funding of the NHS or the hyper funding of other initiatives such as war in Ukraine.

The NHS is already the single biggest expenditure of the UK's taxes. I remember it being more than 25% of the total budget. How much should be spent on the NHS? 50%? 90%?

The cost of defending democracy and freedom from a tyrannical Russia is also barely a drop in the bucket, while having huge meaning for many. Only 2% of the budget for the entire Armed forces, let alone just some support for Ukraine, compared to the 25+% on NHS. It's nothing.

Re: Britain to introduce compulsory digital ID for workers

#357

Post by matt-p »

netdevphoenix wrote: post #349
matt-p wrote: post #342

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If they arrived here legally won't they have a passport? Or national photo ID at the very least? If they are driving for Uber or deliveroo then they'll have a driver's license too? If they don't have either (or a UK birth certificate) then it's safe to say they're not a legit citizen? Who exactly are we solving for?

> If they arrived here legally won't they have a passport? Or national photo ID at the very least? If they are driving for Uber or deliveroo then they'll have a driver's license too? If they don't have either (or a UK birth certificate) then it's safe to say they're not a legit citizen? Simple. Overstaying or/and expired passport will lead to that. Valid status is not a fixed binary state. It is better described as a…

RTW already requires ID plus NI, but OK what about if we just said 'free passports' and then said passport or driving licence plus NI is needed to get a job here. If you have a foreign passport and no UK driving licence then yes you'll have to keep that up to date in order to work here, c'est la vie.

Re: Britain to introduce compulsory digital ID for workers

#358

Post by reactordev »

astonex wrote: post #351
motbus3 wrote: post #315

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't think it is only online. It is really a distopean future in US and UK right now. I honestly understand the problem with immigration, but at the same time, I think this way of approaching the problem is just to create "the enemy" from 1984. It seems that immigrants right now move something between 4B-10B a month in UK which is not a small number. Considering the costs elsewhere altogether, it seems quite small…

>It is really a distopean future in US and UK right now. This ignores the fact that most of Europe and Asia already have national IDs

We all have national ID’s. It’s about having digital ID’s in a system they control.

Re: Britain to introduce compulsory digital ID for workers

#359

Post by matt-p »

astonex wrote: post #343
matt-p wrote: post #335

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ok then 'Government issued [photo] ID' so what if it's not a 'national ID'? They have all the data they need to tackle this. You can't get a NI number without proving who you are, if the government don't trust NI numbers (which they are minting?) then they could simply re-issue them? That would be far far easier than a new national ID.

>You can't get a NI number without proving who you are That's not true either. You're sent your NI number just before 16 years old without providing anything. Also, an NI number is just a number. There is no photo. How can you look at it and say it belongs to the person presenting it? And no you can't look up a passport or something in another system based on the NI number, because those other IDs aren't mandatory so…

How do you think HMRC know to send you a card? If they're giving them out like smarties to foreigners then they could simply... Not (a British person gets one as a function of having a birth certificate)

Re: Britain to introduce compulsory digital ID for workers

#360

Post by matt-p »

noelwelsh wrote: post #332
matt-p wrote: post #319

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I appreciate that, I decided to exclude it for simplicity because obviously not everyone working here was born here :) I don't really understand why I need a Fourth (or Fifth)! National ID? I don't really get the point on reporting number, true, but it's also a UID linked to a passport or birth certificate.

Now that ID is required for voting, it's reasonable that the government provides a form of ID, for free, to all citizens. Passports cost money and not everyone has one. Same for driving licenses. It should also streamline other government services. I think it would be simpler to repeal the ID requirement for voting. I don't believe there is any evidence of widespread voting fraud, so it adds unnecessary cost. I certa…

Passports cost money yes, but introducing a Brit card won't?
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