The government of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has relaxed the rules regarding digital IDs, eliminating the requirement for them in employment.
The BritCard initiative, introduced in September 2025, aimed to combat illegal immigration and streamline bureaucracy. However, the project faced criticism from citizens and some parliament members.
Opponents of digital passports warned that this could lead to an "Orwellian nightmare" and the centralization of sensitive data, increasing the risk of leaks.
A petition against the implementation of BritCard has been signed by nearly 3 million people.
Parliament clarified that while digital work permits remain mandatory, they can be provided through alternative means such as biometric passports.
After the integration of digital IDs in 2029, they will become an optional method for employment alongside other electronic documents.
British MP Rupert Lowe announced on X that he would celebrate the cancellation of excessive requirements with "a very large drink."
I am off for a very large drink to celebrate the demise of mandatory Digital ID. pic.twitter.com/0GUPdLqbxn
— Rupert Lowe MP (@RupertLowe10) January 13, 2026
"This is a victory in the fight for individual freedom against a terrible authoritarian government," added parliamentarian and leader of the Reform UK movement, Nigel Farage.
It is worth noting that on July 1, 2025, the Chinese government launched digital IDs for online use, transferring the responsibility for citizens' online identification from private companies to the state.