More and more, Digital IDs are hailed by governments as a convenient way to prevent identity theft, access key services (e.g., health and social welfare benefits), and create efficient systems. And, as the UK government is hoping to demonstrate, they may also help combat illegal immigration by making digital IDs a mandatory requirement for those seeking work.
Comparitech researchers have released an in-depth study comparing digital ID requirements and privacy risks across 50 countries, finding that already 37 countries have implemented digital ID schemes. Additionally, 9 more are in the process of creating them.
Additionally, this research comes along the same time that Apple has launched digital IDs for United States passport holders.
Rebecca Moody, Head of Data Research at Comparitech, provided the following commentary:
“It goes without saying that digital IDs have their advantages, from providing easy access to online services and streamlining government processes to always having access to your ID wherever you go (so long as you’ve got your phone).
But where digital IDs become a huge cause for concern from a privacy perspective is when they’re introduced as a mandatory requirement (or citizens find it difficult to perform certain tasks without one), they’re used to surveil citizens’ movements and activities, and/or they’re introduced under the guise of providing one solution but soon become needed to access other key services.
For example, Apple’s digital IDs for US passports will no doubt be a hugely convenient service for US citizens and domestic travelers as they’ll eliminate the need to carry a physical passport. And, as it stands, Apple says users’ use of the digital ID won’t be tracked. But, over time, it may be implemented in other sectors and for other services, which may increase the risk of surveillance and what is known as “function creep.” This is also the case with the UK’s proposed BritCard, which will only apply to those seeking work (at first), but will likely expand to include other government services in time.
Ultimately, digital IDs are often introduced as a convenient tool that might not seem to encroach on a user’s privacy too much. But, as more users adopt the ID and more services are added to it, it can quickly become an invasive method of government control. And, once they become mandatory (like the UK’s BritCard), there’s no going back.”
You can read the research here: https://www.comparitech.com/blog/vpn-privacy/digital-ids-study/
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This entry was posted on November 19, 2025 at 9:00 am and is filed under Commentary with tags Comparitech. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
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Digital IDs: 50 countries ranked by digital ID requirements and privacy risks
More and more, Digital IDs are hailed by governments as a convenient way to prevent identity theft, access key services (e.g., health and social welfare benefits), and create efficient systems. And, as the UK government is hoping to demonstrate, they may also help combat illegal immigration by making digital IDs a mandatory requirement for those seeking work.
Comparitech researchers have released an in-depth study comparing digital ID requirements and privacy risks across 50 countries, finding that already 37 countries have implemented digital ID schemes. Additionally, 9 more are in the process of creating them.
Additionally, this research comes along the same time that Apple has launched digital IDs for United States passport holders.
Rebecca Moody, Head of Data Research at Comparitech, provided the following commentary:
“It goes without saying that digital IDs have their advantages, from providing easy access to online services and streamlining government processes to always having access to your ID wherever you go (so long as you’ve got your phone).
But where digital IDs become a huge cause for concern from a privacy perspective is when they’re introduced as a mandatory requirement (or citizens find it difficult to perform certain tasks without one), they’re used to surveil citizens’ movements and activities, and/or they’re introduced under the guise of providing one solution but soon become needed to access other key services.
For example, Apple’s digital IDs for US passports will no doubt be a hugely convenient service for US citizens and domestic travelers as they’ll eliminate the need to carry a physical passport. And, as it stands, Apple says users’ use of the digital ID won’t be tracked. But, over time, it may be implemented in other sectors and for other services, which may increase the risk of surveillance and what is known as “function creep.” This is also the case with the UK’s proposed BritCard, which will only apply to those seeking work (at first), but will likely expand to include other government services in time.
Ultimately, digital IDs are often introduced as a convenient tool that might not seem to encroach on a user’s privacy too much. But, as more users adopt the ID and more services are added to it, it can quickly become an invasive method of government control. And, once they become mandatory (like the UK’s BritCard), there’s no going back.”
You can read the research here: https://www.comparitech.com/blog/vpn-privacy/digital-ids-study/
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This entry was posted on November 19, 2025 at 9:00 am and is filed under Commentary with tags Comparitech. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.