Frequently Asked Questions

Mandatory digital ID cards are government-issued electronic identification used to access services. Opponents warn that, compared with traditional cards, digital systems can enable real-time logging and centralised records of a person's activities and movements.

References: House of Commons Library: Identity Cards (background) · Big Brother Watch: Digital ID briefing

Estonia is often cited as a model because citizens can see who accessed their data and misuse is penalised, with strong oversight and logs. BritCard, as described to date, has not set out comparable visibility or opt-out controls and is framed as mandatory.

References: e-Estonia: e-Identity overview · UK Digital identity & attributes consultation

Public opposition, rising costs, and limited uptake led to repeal. The Identity Documents Act 2010 abolished ID cards and destroyed the National Identity Register.

References: Identity Documents Act 2010 · Parliament research: Costs & history

• Routine identity checks for access to jobs, services and travel
• Expansion of police and administrative powers to request ID
• Comprehensive logging of interactions across public services
• Heightened risks to privacy, especially for minorities and activists
• Growth of informal economy: while BritCard blocks formal employment, it cannot prevent self-employment, cash-in-hand work, or criminal enterprise - potentially driving excluded citizens into the underground economy and tax evasion it claims to prevent

References: Big Brother Watch: Digital ID · Liberty: ID cards – why they were scrapped

Past ID proposals were costed in the billions. A modern biometric scheme enrolling 67m+ people, procuring readers, apps and secure infrastructure could reach tens of billions over a decade, with ongoing operating costs.

References: Parliament research: Historical ID card costs

• Smart chip storing encrypted attributes and certificates
• Biometrics (fingerprints/face templates) for strong binding
• NFC/RFID for contactless verification
• Central services for lookups, audit logs and revocation
• Mobile app for digital presentation

References: ENISA: Electronic Identification

Yes. Risks include card cloning, database breaches, insider abuse and state‑actor attacks. Biometrics are uniquely sensitive: if exposed, they cannot be changed.

References: BBC: HMRC lost 25m child benefit records (2007) · NAO: WannaCry and the NHS · ICO: Biometrics guidance

• Temporary loss of access to ID‑gated services until reissued
• Replacement process (re‑verification) and likely fee
• Exposure risk until the credential is revoked

References: Identity Documents Act 2010 (context on revocation)

Current status: Not law as of today. A mandatory scheme would require an Act of Parliament.

References: Gov.uk: Digital identity consultation

Key GDPR principles at stake include purpose limitation, data minimisation, consent, rights to access/erasure, and special protection for biometric data. Governments can legislate exemptions for certain purposes—this is a major point of contention for opponents.

References: ICO: UK GDPR guidance · ICO: Biometrics

Currently: There is no general duty to carry ID in the UK. A mandatory BritCard law could change police powers substantially by creating a statutory requirement to present ID on request.

References: Liberty: Stop & search (context)

Positions cut across party lines. Civil liberties concerns are shared by MPs of multiple parties. Historically, Liberal Democrats opposed ID cards; many Conservatives emphasise liberty concerns; within Labour, views are mixed.

Action: Use our MP lookup tool and ask your MP for their current stance.

Petitions exceeding 100,000 signatures are considered for debate. A petition opposing mandatory digital ID has exceeded 2.6 million signatures; scheduling is announced on the petition page.

Reference: UK Parliament Petition 730194

1. Write a personalised letter (avoid copy‑paste)
2. Meet them at a constituency surgery
3. Ask for clear commitments (e.g. vote against a mandatory bill)
4. Be polite but firm; follow up
5. Encourage neighbours to do the same

Find your MP: members.parliament.uk/members/commons

• Extensive CCTV and ANPR networks
• Bulk powers in the Investigatory Powers Act
• Police trials of live facial recognition

A mandatory digital ID would link many existing systems to verified identities, increasing the potential for pervasive tracking.

References: Investigatory Powers Act · Privacy International: Digital identity

Mandatory ID regimes risk amplifying profiling, excluding people without stable documentation, and chilling protest and journalism through easier tracking.

References: Liberty: Stop & search statistics