Members of Parliament (MPs) from the ruling Conservative party are spearheading an investigation into a deeply controversial, government-backed digital identity scheme. The UK’s digital identity landscape is now very much in the spotlight. This questioning comes amidst rising concerns over the security and privacy of the Gov.uk One Login system. The successful system has since gone on to receive over £330 million in funding and boasts more than six million users. However, even as the system has been embraced across the country, numerous watchdogs and governing bodies have warned about insecurity and threats to data privacy. The inquiry aims to plug these gaps and consider what a future digital identity would look like in the UK.
Security Flaws and Warnings
The Gov.uk One Login system, meant to consolidate access to various government services, has been affected by a series of security flaws. External security audits uncovered major vulnerabilities that left concerns over whether the system would be able to secure highly sensitive user data. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) received warnings about "serious data protection failings" and "significant shortcomings" in information security.
These dire predictions about the inadequacies of the system were not in a vacuum. The National Cyber Security Centre issued a warning to DSIT on these problems in September 2023. In November 2022, the Cabinet Office warned DSIT about their concerns. Their emphasis was on the depth and duration of the issues.
"when the technology was in its infancy in 2023" - Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT)
Public Opinion and Political Influence
As security concerns dominate the current discourse, public opinion toward digital identity continues to be polarized. A YouGov poll indicated that 34% of the public supports the introduction of national identity cards, with 25% expressing strong support. A 2023 government consultation on data sharing for digital ID revealed strong public concerns about data privacy, highlighting the need for careful consideration of public sentiment in the development and implementation of any digital identity scheme.
On the policy front, prominent stakeholders like the Brookings Institute have been pushing for a national, standardized digital ID. Labour supporters, perhaps most notably including 42 Labour MPs, have been arguing for such a system. Their national digital identity campaign The Tony Blair Institute is no stranger to promoting national digital identity schemes. This position furthers the heated debate that has surrounded the issue. Labour Together, a progressive Labour think tank, has contributed to the debate. They suggest rolling out a national, compulsory digital identity – “BritCard.”
"The debate around digital ID is growing and we want to find the best evidence for how digital ID could be used by the Home Office to implement its priorities," - Karen Bradley
"Introducing digital ID could help the Home Office achieve its ambitions to reduce crime and improve control over the immigration system," - Karen Bradley
Industry Engagement and Future Landscape
In addition to his formal duties, Technology Secretary Peter Kyle meets regularly with industry stakeholders. Collectively they are setting the table for coordination among their efforts. That vision has sparked a supplier system and organization friendly partnership approach to digital identity development and deployment, and significantly reduced worries about digital identity.
The UK’s digital identity market is in the eye of this storm, but it’s a beautiful sunny day. The prospect of Big Tech companies entering the field is on the horizon. The evolving landscape suggests that significant changes and developments could be on the way, potentially reshaping the future of digital identity in the UK.
