Forum Topic

More on the Digital ID

In penetration testing of the Government’s current ONE Login system:- systems were easily hacked and remained undetected- outsourced to contractors without security clearance in Romania “a country identified as one of the greatest cybercriminal threats in the world.”- used unsecured workstations- Oracle, the company that donated £ 275 million to Tony Blair's foundation, will partly manage the Digital ID system.This means if the digital ID goes ahead, a citizen’s entire database of medical records, tax details and personal information will be at risk of exposure to foreign states, ransomware hackers and criminals. It will, of course, do nothing to prevent illegal immigration.Still think the Digital ID is a good idea? Do not comply!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fufnzxyv2Pshttps://x.com/BGatesIsaPyscho/status/1980895069298372953

John Rogers ● 54d28 Comments

Thank you Andrew. My wife or I usually buy a paper copy i every day but missed the one with the e visa issues. I wasn’t even aware of what the e visa was but now I have a better understanding. I  see it was originally started in Australia in 1996 although I have used a 5 year business visa in the past. I have of course used the ESTA for the USA with no problems. It seems that the E Visa problems have been limited to foreign workers or asylum seekers coming to the UK.

Steve Taylor ● 34d

The i article heavily references this article about the failures and problems that eVisas have created.https://the3million.org.uk/news/2025-09-29/digital-id-cards-learning-failures-current-digital-only-evisa-immigration-systemThe digital-only eVisa system was first introduced for 6 million EU citizens who continued to live in the UK after Brexit. Then, since January 2025, over 4 million migrants have also moved onto the fully digital platform to prove immigration status. “We’ve documented case after case where people have lost jobs, been denied housing or been wrongly charged for NHS treatment - not because they lacked the right to be here, but because glitches and errors in the system failed them,” said Monique Hawkins.

Andrew Jones ● 34d

Ah thanks, the I paper and The Independent were connected with each other originally, but went different ways several years ago so my subscriber account with the Independent probably won’t be of any use in getting to read this article.

Andrew Jones ● 35d

E visa problems I paper. 3 days ago.

Nicholas Beard ● 35d

Which article are you referring to Steve?For my sins I signed up for a trial period and didn’t get round to cancelling so have a fully paid up subscription- I’d be happy to summarise what’s in the article

Andrew Jones ● 35d

The i wants me to pay them £79.99 to read the article!

Steve Taylor ● 35d

Just enter, e visa problem i news. People have been unable to work or leave the country.

Nicholas Beard ● 36d

Couldn’t find the i article so not quite sure whose nightmare this was or if it’s just journalistic catastrophising we are now encountering every day.

Steve Taylor ● 36d

I would imagine trying to get the mistakes correctedby the machine would be an individuals nightmare,

Keith Iddon ● 36d

People having the wrong pictures against their name. Unable to access benefits etc. See the I newspaper.

Nicholas Beard ● 36d

What is the problem with e visas please and how is it affecting you?

Steve Taylor ● 36d

Have you seen the problems today with E visa's? Before digital ID is used wouldn't it be sensible to get the systems we have already, working properly?

Nicholas Beard ● 36d

“ 'It is the most un-British idea”And that’s exactly why it’s brilliant.  An example of a British idea was to have a Brexit Referendum. That worked didn’t it.  And is Starmer’s vision of Britain, British? 

Steve Taylor ● 52d

People said he was using that as an excuse to bring in IDcards because itwill make no difference to illegal workers, where does an employer hold records for an illegal worker ?

Janice Evans ● 52d

'It is the most un-British idea that the state.. can monitor your activities at its whim.'It can already - 'and if you've got nothing to hide...!'Many people supported ID cards when they were promoted as a convenient way of accessing services and products, but the moment Starmer suggested them as a way of reducing illicit working by immigrants, people seem to have turned against them! Reverse Midas touch?!

Peter Evans ● 53d

I don't know why France isn't shown on that chart.  A Google search shows their shadow economy was "approximately 15% of its official GDP in 2024".

Phil Kay ● 53d

I've never yet heard of a cogent argument for ID cards in the UK.  As anyone will know who's worked in HR or has employed anyone in the last 25 years, employers are compelled to ensure that new hires are entitled to work in the UK.  I have never seen an argument showing how that will improve with digital ID cards.A friend is ideologically keen on them, believing that they will reduce the shadow economy but, as the table below shows, the UK currently has a lower share of GDP caught up in this area than a large majority of other countries that do have digital ID cards. What's the point of spending billions of pounds on a scheme that adds no benefit to the country?European shadow economy estimates for 2022Country Shadow Economy (% of GDP)HighAlbania 38.6%Bulgaria 33.1%Romania 28.5%Croatia 27.9%Greece 20.9%Italy 20.3%Medium-HighLithuania 22.4%Estonia 22.7%Latvia 19.9%Hungary 25.4%Spain 18.2%Poland 16.4%Cyprus 16.4%Belgium 16.0%Medium-LowPortugal 15.6%Czech Republic 13.5%Finland 10.8%Ireland 10.1%Sweden 10.1%LowDenmark 9.7%Germany 8.8%Netherlands 8.7%United Kingdom 9.1%Austria 8.8%Switzerland 6.1%Norway 11.6%Source: "Taxation of the Informal Economy in the EU" (Nov. 2022), using Friedrich Schneider estimates.

Phil Kay ● 53d

Great.

Janice Evans ● 53d

I was only six months old but you can't be too careful.

Bruce Hammal ● 53d

Did it just show your name and address like my Mums.

Janice Evans ● 53d

Lol. Though I'm not sure if your reply is parody?

John Rogers ● 53d

Complete nonsense being spouted about illegal employment.Do you really think that unscrupulous employers are bothered about someone's name being the right one,especially if they are paying cash in hand.It's using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.If you thnk that spurious reason is reason enough to enforce this draconoan measure,why don't you emigrate to one of the countries that has id cards and see how their illegal immigration problem is getting on?

Keith Iddon ● 53d

Been there, done that. Although it wasn't very digital and it did expire in 1967...

Bruce Hammal ● 53d

These ID cards will make it increasingly difficult for rogue employers to employ illegals immigrants. They will all make it more difficult to launder money. A brilliant idea. Works well in other countries. Bring it on!  The sooner the better!

Steve Taylor ● 53d

And of course the disappearance of civil liberties and the right to as private in life as possible in this increasingly impersonal world.It is the most un British idea that the state has immediate access to all of your information and can monitor your activities at its whim.I have the right to be a private individual living a private life and without interference from government or anyone else.No thanks.

Keith Iddon ● 53d

The really serious question with these cards is DATA SECURITY!

Nicholas Beard ● 54d

"Do not comply"! Couldn't agree more.

Brian Coyle ● 54d

Harry Willcock was a British activist known for his refusal to produce an identity card, which was a wartime requirement introduced in 1939. He became the last person in the UK prosecuted for this refusal, leading to significant public outcry and the eventual abolition of ID cards in 1952. His case, Willcock v. Muckle, highlighted the public's resistance to the ID card system and paved the way for future discussions on national identification in the UK.

Paul James ● 54d