The government has relaunched its plans for a national digital identity system, saying it could make it easier for people to access public services through a single smartphone app.
Cabinet Office minister Darren Jones unveiled a prototype of the system at a Downing Street press conference, describing it as a step towards “government by app”.
The revamped scheme would allow users to prove their identity online through a digital wallet on their smartphone. In future, ministers say it could be used for a wide range of everyday tasks, from managing childcare support to filing tax returns.
But while the system is now being presented as voluntary, the announcement has already reignited a wider debate about privacy, data security and public trust.
A shift away from mandatory digital ID
When digital ID was first proposed, ministers suggested it could become compulsory for people starting a new job in the UK as part of right-to-work checks.
That proposal triggered a significant backlash. A parliamentary petition opposing mandatory digital ID gathered close to three million signatures, and polling suggested the idea was becoming increasingly unpopular.
In response, the government has now dropped plans to make digital ID the only way for workers to prove their identity. Instead, the system will be voluntary, with people still able to rely on existing documents such as passports or eVisas.
However, digital right-to-work checks are still expected to become compulsory by the end of the current Parliament.
What the new digital ID system could look like
The scheme will be built around two existing government platforms:
- GOV.UK One Login, which already allows users to access multiple government services with a single account
- GOV.UK Wallet, a planned smartphone app where digital identity documents could be stored
According to ministers, the wallet could eventually hold key identity details such as:
- Name
- Date of birth
- Nationality
- Residence status
- A photograph.
The government says building the system internally, through the Government Digital Service, will help ensure greater security and control over how the technology operates.
An eight-week public consultation has also been launched to gather views on how the system should work.
The debate around trust hasn’t gone away
Although the proposal has been reshaped, many of the concerns raised during the earlier debate remain.
Critics argue that large digital identity systems inevitably concentrate sensitive personal information, creating attractive targets for cyber criminals. Others worry that systems introduced as voluntary can gradually become essential as more services begin relying on them.
Digital inclusion groups have also warned that people who are less comfortable using technology could struggle if digital systems become the default way to access services.
At the same time, supporters say digital ID could simplify interactions with government services, reduce bureaucracy and save money by streamlining administrative processes.
Why safeguards still matter
Whether digital ID is mandatory or not, one issue remains central to the debate: trust.
In recent years, a steady stream of cyber incidents and data breaches across both public and private organisations has shaken public confidence in how sensitive information is stored and protected.
That is why Join the Claim is calling on organisations handling digital identity data to commit to stronger safeguards through our Digital ID pledge.
That pledge calls for:
- Full transparency over where 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.
To stand with us and call for tougher protections, share your support using #ProtectOurDigitalID.
Has your data been breached?
If your data has been exposed because an organisation failed to implement basic protections, you have legal rights.
Explore current data breach claims and wider consumer actions on our website, and register your interest if you believe you have been affected.
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