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Britain to introduce compulsory digital ID for workers

(www.reuters.com)
525 points alex77456 | 1 comments | 26 Sep 25 02:09 UTC | HN request time: 0.257s | source
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isodev ◴[26 Sep 25 03:21 UTC] No.45382255[source]▶
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.
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Nursie ◴[26 Sep 25 03:56 UTC] No.45382459[source]▶
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.

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userbinator ◴[26 Sep 25 04:15 UTC] No.45382577[source]▶
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.
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arrowsmith ◴[26 Sep 25 06:27 UTC] No.45383368[source]▶
The UK used to be a high-trust society.
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1. cheema33 ◴[26 Sep 25 20:06 UTC] No.45390517[source]▶
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.