I know I’m a weirdo in this regard but I would voluntarily get a digital ID from the government. I can see how it would be beneficial in accessing public services but also private services too. I use the Government Gateway account for a wide range of things already including state benefits and self assessment, and it would be great if I could use the same account to prove my identity when signing up for bank accounts.
Right now, to prove my identity to my bank, I have to take a photo of my driving licence, and a video of my face. Then, in probably the most humiliating and degrading thing I have ever been asked to do by my phone, I have to SMILE AT THE CAMERA in order to trigger a selfie to be taken.
My driving licence, video and selfie-with-enforced-smile is then sent to a company that uses “AI” to determine my identity. Now, I know that they do not always use AI to do this, because my wife used to work for this company, and she spent all day looking at people’s photos and driving licences to see if they matched. They were able to provide 24/7 service by having large offices in 3 different time zones, so that an 8-10 hour work day would span the full 24 hour day.
That entire process for verifying my ID with my bank is way more dystopian, alienating and humiliating than signing up for a digital ID with the government. So while I don’t support mandatory ID, I do support a government issued ID that was widely recognised by banks, workplaces, estate agents, and other private institutions that are necessary for modern life.
I know I’m a weirdo in this regard but I would voluntarily get a digital ID from the government. I can see how it would be beneficial in accessing public services but also private services too. I use the Government Gateway account for a wide range of things already including state benefits and self assessment, and it would be great if I could use the same account to prove my identity when signing up for bank accounts.
Right now, to prove my identity to my bank, I have to take a photo of my driving licence, and a video of my face. Then, in probably the most humiliating and degrading thing I have ever been asked to do by my phone, I have to SMILE AT THE CAMERA in order to trigger a selfie to be taken.
My driving licence, video and selfie-with-enforced-smile is then sent to a company that uses “AI” to determine my identity. Now, I know that they do not always use AI to do this, because my wife used to work for this company, and she spent all day looking at people’s photos and driving licences to see if they matched. They were able to provide 24/7 service by having large offices in 3 different time zones, so that an 8-10 hour work day would span the full 24 hour day.
That entire process for verifying my ID with my bank is way more dystopian, alienating and humiliating than signing up for a digital ID with the government. So while I don’t support mandatory ID, I do support a government issued ID that was widely recognised by banks, workplaces, estate agents, and other private institutions that are necessary for modern life.