The debate around digital IDs has intensified in recent months. More than 2.9 million people have already signed a petition opposing mandatory digital ID cards for UK workers, and the issue is now being discussed everywhere — in parliament, in pubs, and around kitchen tables across the country.
Whether the concern is privacy, surveillance or the idea of one system holding vast amounts of personal information, the message is the same: people want protection.
Even those who support digital IDs in principle have a firm red line. They want strong, visible safeguards and a system they can trust — one that won’t expose them to greater risk at a time when cyber-attacks and data breaches have become routine.
And they’re right to be cautious. In our own survey, 75% of people told us they’ve experienced the negative effects of a data breach. Trust can’t simply be assumed — it must be earned.
Why we’re launching the Digital ID Pledge
Digital IDs could make life simpler. But simplicity can’t come at the expense of security. That’s why Join the Claim is calling on the government to back our five-point public guarantee — a set of practical, no-nonsense protections designed to put people first.
To build public confidence, the government must commit to:
- Full transparency over where digital identity data is stored.
- Immediate and full disclosure of any breach attempts.
- Independent annual audits of system security and resilience.
- Strict limits on data sharing, including a total ban on commercial profiling.
- Clear accountability for any organisation handling Digital ID data — whether public, private or subcontracted.
These are not “nice to haves”. They are the basics required to keep people safe.
As our founder, Jordan Clayton, says:
“People are being affected by mass cyber attacks on a more frequent basis, with criminals exploiting large amounts of sensitive data, and now they’re being asked to hand over even more personal information to a huge centralised system.
Before the Digital ID system is rolled-out, public confidence must be prioritised, with stronger obligations placed on any organisation handling digital identity data – including private vendors, subcontractors and identity-checking platforms”.
Add your voice
We’re asking individuals and organisations across the UK to stand with us and demand tougher protections before any digital ID system is rolled out. We’re also calling for stronger, clearer obligations on every organisation handling digital identity data – including private companies and online platforms.
Show your support by sharing #ProtectOurDigitalID across social media — and help push for a digital future that protects your data and your rights.
