You’ll undoubtedly have heard that the UK will begin rolling out mandatory digital IDs for all UK citizens and legal residents.
Although an exact date is yet to be confirmed, the government has said the digital ID rollout is expected by “the end of this Parliament” which theoretically should be in July 2029.
We’ve done some digging into the upcoming digital IDs and answered key questions about the mandatory process below, including how it will work, what it’ll do and why they’re being introduced.
What is the digital ID?
The digital ID will be a mandatory document that’s stored on smartphones for all UK citizens and legal residents. According to the official guidance on Gov.uk, the digital ID will help prove your identity “simplifying access to government services and a range of uses across the private sector”.
This includes assisting renters to prove their identity to landlords alongside the promise of making it easier for those who need to apply for free childcare, access welfare and other benefits.
At the time of writing, the ID will include information such as your name, date of birth, residency or nationality status and a photo. However, the government will hold a public consultation “later this year” to consider whether additional information will be included.
Again, according to Gov.uk’s guidance, the purpose of the digital ID is to “curb the prospect of work for illegal migrants” which is supposedly a “significant factor driving small boat crossings”.
When is digital ID coming to the UK?
An exact date has yet to be provided, although the government has stated that the rollout should be completed by the end of the current parliament, which should be 9th July 2029. However, of course, this date isn’t set in stone as there are many factors that could interrupt or delay the process.
How will the digital ID work?
The digital ID will be free to download and accessed on smartphones, although it’s unclear whether it will be added to your phone’s wallet, accessed via its own separate app or through the existing Gov.uk app.
It has been said that the digital ID will integrate assistive technologies including screen readers, voice commands and biometric authentication to ensure users can navigate the ID independently.
The government has also said that during the upcoming public consultation, it will consider physical alternatives for those without smartphones and support for those who lack proof of identity for whatever reason.
Will the digital ID be safe?
One of the biggest concerns for the upcoming digital ID is privacy and whether personal data will be at risk. In fact, at the time of writing there’s a petition protesting the introduction of the digital ID with well over two million signatures.
The government has stated that the digital ID system will be “designed with security at its core” with digital credentials stored directly on your device, which is usually deemed safer than the alternative of storing data in the cloud. In addition, the government has promised to ensure there are “safeguards in place” which should “give users peace of mind about how their data will be used.”
However, it is also said that user control is key, as sharing of ID information “should be instigated by the user”.
It is promised that the system will use “state of the art encryption and authentication technology” in the same way that banks apps use.
What if my phone is lost or stolen with the digital ID?
Having all your information on one device can feel concerning, however the government has stated that the digital credentials can be “easily revoked and reissued” in the event of your phone getting lost or stolen. In fact, the government promises this will provide better security than traditional, physical documents too.
Will the digital ID replace my passport?
No, you will still require a physical passport to travel internationally through airports and ports. The digital ID will also not replace documents such as your driving license either.
