Denmark smashes digital ID fears while UK revolt grows

2 godzin temu
Silhouettes symbolize the widespread adoption of digital identity systems across European cities (Illustrative image - AI generated) Upday Stock Images

Britain's plan for mandatory digital identity cards by 2029 stands in stark contrast to the overwhelming success of similar systems across Europe. Prime Minister Keir Starmer (Labour) announced the app-based scheme will be compulsory for all workers, containing residency status, name, nationality, date of birth and photo.

However, public support has collapsed dramatically from 53% in June to just 31% by September 2024, according to Manchester Evening News polling. Nearly three million people have signed a petition opposing the digital ID scheme, highlighting deep divisions over privacy versus convenience.

Danish digital success story

Denmark offers a compelling model of digital ID acceptance, with 97% of the population aged 15 and over enrolled in the MitID system. Danish teenagers can enrol from age 13, making it somewhat of a rite of passage, with mandatory participation beginning at 15 when they receive official government communications via "digital post".

Adam Lebech, deputy director general of Denmark's agency for digital government, said enabling digital ID use for key applications like banking was crucial to success. Only 5% of Danes have opted out of the digital post system, demonstrating remarkable public acceptance.

"Because we are a country where most people trust politicians and the public sector to a high degree, this has been pretty uncontroversial," said Peter Christian Bech-Nielsen, tech correspondent at Danish newspaper Ingeniøren.

Estonian pioneering approach

Estonia introduced one of the world's first national digital ID cards in 2002, connecting physical documents to secure online authentication and legally binding digital signatures. The system emerged from necessity after Estonia redeclared independence from the Soviet Union and needed to rebuild institutions with limited resources.

"The government saw digitalisation as a way to deliver public services efficiently and transparently," said Kristiina Kriisa from the e-Estonia Briefing Centre. Citizens can vote digitally, file taxes and access banking, while maintaining analogue alternatives.

Leif Kalev, a political studies professor at Tallinn University, said Estonians have "generally been quite willing to accept some reduction in personal freedoms in exchange for technological innovation and new opportunities."

UK implementation timeline

The British system will begin with a pilot programme for alcohol purchases in December 2025, according to The i, before the full mandatory rollout by 2029. The i also reports that Google is developing integration with Android Wallet for rail discounts.

Security remains a paramount concern across all digital ID systems. Lebech described the digital security threat level as constantly high, requiring "constant development and constant battles against criminals" through social engineering attacks.

Privacy and resilience concerns

Both Danish and Estonian officials acknowledge growing concerns about surveillance and data accumulation. Bech-Nielsen warned that Denmark's digital-first approach could make society "less resilient in terms of hybrid warfare" if systems fail.

Estonia addresses privacy concerns through transparency measures allowing citizens to view who has accessed their data, combined with strong legal protections. However, Kalev noted that growing computing power, including quantum computers, poses future challenges to system security.

Sources used: "The Guardian", "Manchester Evening News", "The i" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.

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