Identity verification is one of many essential government services undergoing a digital transformation. The UK government has proposed introducing a digital ID for every UK citizen and legal resident by 2028. What does this mean for those in the UK? First, we need to understand what a digital ID is and how it could work.

What is a digital ID?

If the scheme comes into force, a digital ID will be issued to British citizens and legal residents and accepted as proof of their identity and right to work in the UK. The ID would be stored in an app and wouldn’t be available physically.

According to the UK government(new window), a digital ID would contain data including:

  • Name
  • Date of birth
  • Information on nationality or residency status
  • A photo as the basis for biometric security

The government is set to launch a public consultation regarding digital IDs, which will also “consider if any additional information, like address, would be helpful to include.”

Why does the UK want to introduce digital ID?

Introducing a digital ID in the UK has been debated since former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair first proposed the scheme during his leadership. The project has been shelved numerous times due to backlash and privacy concerns, but the current government has now approved a mandatory national digital ID scheme.

As the government investigates digital identity operation, it’s analyzing the potential economic gains as well as the risks of such a scheme: A new investigation claims(new window) that relying on physical documents is inefficient and also creates opportunities for fraud, which are both issues that digital IDs could solve. The government claims that waiting times to access services such as benefits or council tax could be greatly reduced by not relying on physical documents. They say it would also reduce fraud and simplify age verification.

In recent years, demonization of immigrants has created a backlash against those who move to the UK from other countries. The government has proposed changes to the gig economy(new window) and carried out raids(new window) to combat the perceived threat of people working illegally in the UK. The UK government claims(new window) that a digital ID will “toughen employment checks, including across the gig economy, curbing the prospect of work for illegal migrants”

How will the new digital ID work?

At the time of writing, the digital ID scheme will be based on two government-built systems: GOV.UK One Login and GOV.UK Wallet. One Login(new window) is an identity verification service that allows those working on a central government service to verify the identity of workers and will eventually centralize access to all government services. Wallet(new window) is an as-yet unreleased app that will allow UK citizens to store government-issued digital documents.

It’s unclear exactly how the ID itself will work. On its digital ID scheme explainer page(new window), the government claims that digital credentials will be stored on users’ devices. The new system will also use encryption and authentication to protect their data. It’s likely that the system will change in coming years, but for now the government states that apps such as the NHS app or digital banking apps will guide the way the digital ID system is built.

A research briefing(new window) released in November 2025 referenced decentralized ID systems. A decentralized system would mean that the ID is stored solely on its owner’s device, while their data remains with the authority that issued the ID. This kind of architecture would be in the interest of UK residents’ data sovereignty, but it remains to be seen whether the final ID scheme that is rolled out in 2028 will be decentralized.

Which laws govern data in the UK?

In the UK, data protection is governed by the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. If you’re concerned that a organisation is misusing your personal data, you can raise a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

However, data access and use is about to change in the UK. After three years of legislative development, amendments to the Data Protection Act introduced through the The Data (Use and Access) Act(new window) came into force in August 2025. The Act amends specific parts of the UK’s existing data protection framework and introduces a number of new measures, including:

  • A Digital Verification Services framework (which will facilitate digital IDs)
  • A framework for setting up “smart data” schemes in the UK
  • Changing the duties of and restructuring the ICO
  • Changes to data processing lawfulness

Some civil liberties campaigning organizations, such as Big Brother Watch(new window), have pointed out that data rights are being weakened by changes to the Data Protection Act. According to the GOV.UK briefing on the digital ID scheme: ”The government will only provide third parties with access to your personal data when you instigate this sharing or it is otherwise permitted under UK data protection laws.” Given that these data protection laws are changing rapidly, this could be in the favor of businesses over people. Access to data will be easier to gain for businesses, and this may not be in the interest of the privacy of citizens.

Digital ID petitions are gaining ground

There is already backlash from concerned citizens, with many petitions against digital ID appearing online. A popular petition on the GOV.UK Petitions page has nearly 3 million signatures. Parliament will debate the petition, which cites mass surveillance as one of its chief concerns, on December 8, 2025. People in the UK are worried that the government will instigate a scheme that overreaches on data collection and leaves them vulnerable to surveillance and dangerous data breaches.

Concerned citizens will be glad to know that many experts are investigating the potential harms created by digital IDs and are advocating for the most human-centric and private implementation possible. Liberty Investigates(new window), the UK’s largest civil liberties organization, is one of many organizations encouraging UK citizens to educate themselves about current plans for the digital ID scheme. It makes recommendations for creating firewalls around sensitive databases and a focus on allowing citizens to access public services over exclusion.

Could a digital ID scheme be beneficial to the UK?

While there are still many unknowns when it comes to the UK’s adoption of digital ID, we can look to concepts such as data privacy, data sovereignty, and accessibility to understand the potential impact of this scheme.

Benefits

A free ID stored on smartphones could improve many people’s ability to access services. In theory, a free alternative to a passport or driving license would benefit those on low incomes. Having a reliable and free way to prove your identity to a landlord, a bank, or an employer could make day-to-day life easier in the UK.

A decentralized ID scheme could also prevent overreach when it comes to personal data. Instead of needing to give your date of birth, a digital ID could simply verify that you are over 18. In theory, this could minimize how much of your personal data you actually share. A centralized system that stores the personal data of millions of UK residents presents a valuable target for hackers — a decentralized system allows you to own your identity and store your information in a single, secure location.

Concerns

In recent years, fallout from poorly implemented changes to UK law has created chaos for citizens. Following the Online Safety Act’s age verification requirements, around 70,000 ID photos and potentially other personal and partial financial information were leaked in a cyber attack targeted at the third-party age verification service chosen by Discord. By forcing businesses to rely on third-party verification services which lie outside the UK, the government effectively forces citizens to share sensitive data with businesses they haven’t opted to do so with.

If overseeing the technical architecture behind the digital ID scheme is handled by a contractor, the onus will be on the UK government to choose wisely. One of the largest miscarriages of justice in recent British history, the Horizon IT scandal(new window), saw unreliable accounting software create financial shortfalls that were blamed on subpostmasters. Payouts from wrongful prosecutions are still being made with the final expected cost of compensation exceeding £1 billion. Poor choice in vendors could cost the public their privacy and livelihoods as well as draining valuable government resources.

Stay informed on the UK’s digital ID proposal

The digital ID scheme will change substantially in the next two years. It’s up to residents of the UK to remain informed about the government’s plans and challenge it where necessary. Informed citizens are the UK’s best hope when it comes to finding a identity verification solution that puts people first.

People — not governments or private tech vendors — should have exclusive ownership of their biometric data to ensure our data is not misused, leaked, or monetized. We’ll continue to monitor the UK’s digital ID efforts because the way it’s implemented will have a major impact on the future of identity management.