Let’s be clear: the government’s push for a Digital ID has nothing to do with the reasons many are assuming, and the tech-based arguments often cited aren’t even the real drivers right now.

According to the government’s own statements, the main motive behind introducing a compulsory Digital ID is to deter and reduce illegal migration. The proposed use? A tool to prove legal status – essentially, whether someone has the right to be in the country. The hope is that this move will, in some small way, help pacify sections of society currently protesting outside asylum hotels.

Beyond the questions I’ve already raised in a previous post, here are two more we should all be thinking about:

1. Who is most likely to be asked to prove their legal status?
2. Who will be given the authority to ask for it?

These questions matter, not just for policy, but for how this could affect people’s daily lives.

First dropped: October 15, 2025 | Last modified: October 15, 2025