Will the UK force citizens to get digital IDs? Probably.

Reports suggest that Prime Minister Starmer will announce Friday that every single adult in the UK must get a digital ID.

There have been some suggestions that the scheme WON’T be mandatory in the literal sense - but that one will be required to access the internet, housing, employment, banking, transportation or any other essential service. In other words “mandatory”.

Though the final details aren’t yet officially public it seems clear that digital ID’s would rely upon mobile devices - apps - and would be linked to a citizen’s phone number, bank account, medical file and employment and housing history. The premise being that nothing could be done in everyday life without it.

The startling move is being billed as a means to combat illegal immigration but skeptics and human rights groups have rejected this a mere pretext. They point out that, if the British government was really committed to resolving that issue, it could do so easily - without digital ID’s.

Critics of the plan note that, no electronic device is truly “safe” and the consolidation of so much information into one space creates major security risks. Still others note that, these types of mechanisms have already been employed in other countries as a means of maintaining control over their populations in a distinctly undemocratic manner.

What do you think? Let me know in the comments and for the deep dive head over to the Substack page at WorldBriefZMC and be sure vote in the poll.