The UK government is under scrutiny regarding the security of its proposed digital ID system, which is designed to be accessible to all citizens and legal residents but will be mandatory solely for employment purposes. The specifics of how this system will function have not yet been disclosed, though Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has emphasized that security is a primary focus. The digital ID initiative will utilize two government-developed platforms: Gov.uk One Login and Gov.uk Wallet.
Gov.uk One Login serves as a unified account for accessing public services online and has reportedly been adopted by over 12 million users, with projections suggesting this number may rise to 20 million by next year. This increase is anticipated as new regulations will require individuals registering as company directors to verify their identity through this system starting November 18.
The Gov.uk Wallet, still in development, aims to enable citizens to store their digital ID on their smartphones, containing personal information such as name, date of birth, and residence status. Users will need a Gov.uk One Login to access this wallet.
Concerns have been raised by civil liberties advocate and Conservative MP David Davis about the potential vulnerabilities of the One Login system. He has called for an investigation by the National Audit Office into its costs, suggesting a history of security mishaps, including incidents involving unsecured development work. He argues that the risk of data exposure to malicious entities is significant, citing the Horizon Post Office scandal as a precedent for potential failures.
Additionally, Liberal Democrat spokesperson Lord Clement-Jones has questioned whether One Login adheres to National Cyber Security Centre standards, citing claims from a whistleblower concerning the timeline for achieving these standards. Although the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology asserts that the system is secure and monitored, doubts remain about its robustness, especially in light of past difficulties.
The Prime Minister has transferred overall control of the digital ID project to the Cabinet Office, underscoring its importance to the government, while the Government Digital Service will still oversee the system’s design.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5y930x81wpo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss