UK digital ID scheme sparks privacy concerns and political clash

A recent poll found that more than 60% of Britons are worried that a government‑run digital ID could enable surveillance of their movements, and 74% fear it could be vulnerable to cyber attacks. The scheme, promoted by the UK government to curb illegal employment, streamline service access and fight identity fraud, would store a verified identity on smartphones and be added to the upcoming GOV.UK mobile app alongside a digital driving licence.

Civil‑rights group Liberty has highlighted these anxieties and urged regional leaders such as Andy Burnham to halt the rollout. Experts quoted in the coverage argue that the architecture of the system could allow extensive tracking, echoing public unease. Meanwhile, an editorial in the Daily Torygraph mocked Burnham’s decision to scrap the plan, calling the proposal a “socialist” misuse of £1.8 billion of taxpayer money and demanding its reinstatement.