Britain to introduce compulsory digital ID for workers

I’ve always lived in places where having an ID on you has been part of your “citizen responsibilities”. So reading the post my feeling was “oh cool, they’re getting a new eID-like system”. But I imagine it’s a huge step if folks could get by without an ID at all.

In the UK it has never been compulsory to carry ID, even when driving.

At a traffic stop the police have the option to require you to present documents at a police station within seven days if they think something is fishy.

And people do seem to exist quite happily without formal identification. As someone who has always had a passport and driving license it was a bit of an eye-opener to me, but if you don't drive and don't travel, some folks just get by without.

So if there is a requirement to have a Britcard, and to present your 'Britcard' when stopped for any reason, then it is definitely a change.

That is very surprising. In the US, you are legally required to carry your license when driving. If you are caught driving without one, expect to be arrested.

Also the US reserves the right to demand ID if you're within 100 miles of a border - which is effectively 2/3 of the population. And detain you until your status can be "verified", however long that could take.

That should only be for non-citizens, but I have no idea how you could prove that without documentation in the first place.

So for the vast majority of Americans, you probably have to be carrying ID at all times anyway, else you risk someone deciding you "might" not actually be a citizen.

If this same rule was enacted in the UK, there would be no place on the British Isles that would be excluded, as nowhere is more than 100 miles from the coast.

In France you have to carry a state issued ID regardless of your location within the country. Driving license might be asked to be provided if there is an assumption you have one. A lasting legacy of the 40s.

In practice the pseudo-crime of being "suspicious looking" also requires ID. Good luck if you want to argue your constitutional rights. Immigration status is topical for the current era. Something as benign as walking up the street to pickup takeout could involve identifying yourself to the police and waiting for them to clear you for warrants.

That hasn’t been my experience, perhaps it’s state to state. I’ve been stopped without ID and had no problem. I’ve even boarded a plane through TSA without my license.

In my state I have an app on my phone for it. I only use my physical card to get into bars.

The UK used to be a high-trust society.

One needs a "National Insurance" number (NINO) to work legally.

I thought it was also required to collect any type of government benefit too.

The counterpoint to this is obviously that the requirement to present ID to vote is tantamount to voter suppression - iirc there is no “free” form of ID in the UK.

As an ex-Brit I am also used to carrying an ID and a drivers license, and I’ve always found it quite weird that you can’t get an ID card of any kind that isn’t a full-fledged passport or a drivers license.

The UK did have compulsory ID cards, which needed to be carried at all times, during both World Wars.

I mean I guess this new thing is going to be free?

I also don't live in the UK any more, still a brit and not yet Australian, but I have had to adjust to it being necessary to carry your license here when driving. It means I can't really leave home without my wallet, which is odd. We're getting electronic licenses before long though, hopefully.

Honestly no idea. Hopefully! And hopefully you’ll be able to vote with it.

I just have a magnetic wallet on the back of my iPhone with the two cards and my travel card, so I always have them. I don’t carry a physical payment card or cash so don’t need a wallet otherwise

In this case, sounds like you'll not just be required to carry an ID. Everyone in the country will be legally required to carry an Android phone or iPhone.

Well, maybe the app will keep working and you can update it from Aurora Store. Pretty vague so far.

I lived in the UK for a while as a teenager. During that time I got a driver's license. I was astonished to find out that it was paper-only. No photo. My brother could use it if needed. The laws were changed around 2000. But I think you are correct. UK used to be a high-trust society.

That NI number lives in my head. I don't have to carry a physical card or install an app.

Australia is state by state based too, some states have more reasonable rules of "present it on request"

Others like nsw are carry always

AFAICT here in WA it’s “you should carry but it’s not an offence if you don’t and you can sort it out later a bit like the UK”.

But I’m not 100% sure so I’m making sure I’m carrying just in case.

That's exactly what it is in WA :)

Source: I live there

Have also driven there for 15+ years and never been asked for my license.