Government seems to be being disingenuous in its response to public reaction.
I’m a little out of the loop so it’s a genuine question.
I suspect that people are scared because the word “digital” is involved.
I can’t get a job in the US without presenting a social security card and drivers license, or alternatively, a passport (and there are a few other methods of identification and proof of right to work). I have to prove that I have the legal right to work and the employer submits my information to an electronic system.
It would actually be nice if the process was more digital rather than having to send my employer copies of my ID(s) or physically presenting them.
- https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366618163/UK-eVisa-syste...
- https://righttoremain.org.uk/uk-government-admits-huge-probl...
Meanwhile people will be losing jobs and houses because of it.
People trapped in this system (eg: millions of Europeans that must use this system) have pleaded to be issues a physical proof of their rights to stay, only to be rudely refused.
UK government lies that it's supposed to mimic some European ID's (which are primarily physical with the digital representation), lies it's supposed to combat illegal employment (employers are mandated to check the right to work anyway, those who don't won't be checking it anyway), and is _deep_ in bed with Palantir, which has its tentacles all over this project.
This is why UK is rejecting the idea -- again.
Voluntary, Smart, physical IDs? I'd probably get myself one. My home country issues something like it and it's a breeze to be able to prove my identity over the Internet to interact with the services.
Like this? That's a scam.
stefanfisk•4mo ago