The UK government is preparing to launch a mandatory digital ID called the BritCard, designed to curb illegal immigration and modernise access to public services—but critics warn it risks creating a surveillance state and punishing vulnerable citizens.

Failure to present a BritCard when required may result in denial of employment, housing, or access to certain services. Employers and landlords will be legally obligated to verify status through the system, and failure to do so may result in fines or penalties.

While enforcement details are still emerging, civil liberties groups warn that the scheme could disproportionately affect vulnerable populations. Those without smartphones, digital literacy, or stable housing may struggle to access or maintain their digital ID, potentially pushing them further into the margins of society.

  • MudMan@fedia.io
    1·
    14 days ago

    I have not lived in Germany, and never thought to ask any of the Germans I know about this because it’s a rather dumb argument that isn’t that important, but this is what Wikipedia has to say about their ID card status:

    A German identity card is compulsory to possess but not carry for all German citizens aged 16 or older; a passport can also be used in lieu of an identity card.

    While police officers and some other officials have a right to demand to see one of those documents, the law does not state that one is obliged to submit the document immediately. Fines may only be applied if an identity card or passport is not possessed at all, if the document is expired or if one explicitly refuses to show ID to the police. If one is unable to produce an ID card or passport (or any other form of credible identification) during a police control, one can (in theory) be brought to the next police post and detained for a maximum of 12 hours, or until positive identification is possible. However, this measure is only applied if the police have reasonable grounds to believe the person detained has committed an offence.[127]

    This gels with the rules in the handful of places where I’ve lived that have mandatory ID rules. With the important corollary that ID cards typically fit in your wallet and passports are big fat books you have to store separately.

    Either way ID is ID.