Any digital ID system must focus on access, not exclusion

Commenting on reports today (3 September 2025) that the UK is considering introducing a mandatory digital ID card system, Sam Grant, Director of External Relations at Liberty, said:

“Any digital ID system designed to reduce irregular migration will not solve the problem its proponents suggest, but would pose a host of wider human rights questions. There are many countries that have mandatory ID systems, and it’s been shown there is no clear correlation between irregular migrant population, underground economies and ID policies.

“The government should look in detail at how it’s worked elsewhere and examine if the supposed benefits stand up to scrutiny before rushing in to introduce them here.

“Bringing in ID cards would be a huge change for how we all interact with public services, from healthcare to welfare. Any system should allow for offline alternatives, and has to be built with a clear benefit in mind to help people access services more easily, rather than creating barriers for people and doubling down on hostile environments. We need to take a careful approach and learn lessons from other countries, and make sure there are robust safeguards in place.”