Plaid Cymru has raised concerns over UK Government proposals to introduce digital ID cards, warning the plans could threaten civil liberties and risk excluding people without access to digital technology.
The UK Government is reported to be considering a national digital identification system, which would allow individuals to verify their identity online or through a smartphone app. Ministers argue such a system could streamline access to public services, reduce fraud, and cut paperwork.
But critics have warned of potential downsides, including data security risks and the impact on those who remain digitally excluded. According to digital inclusion charities, thousands of people in Wales still lack either internet access or the digital skills needed to use online services.
Plaid Cymru Westminster leader Liz Saville Roberts MP said: “Plaid Cymru will not support any digital ID system that risks shutting people out of services or eroding civil liberties. Wales still has thousands of people who are digitally excluded, and no one should ever be locked out of vital services simply because they don’t have a smartphone or internet access.
“IDs could reduce some of the paperwork people face to access everyday services, but we are not convinced the UK Government’s plans are really about making things easier. We are concerned about data security, and we will oppose any system that risks making monetising sensitive personal data for private companies or making it more vulnerable to cyberattacks.
“That’s why we need a proper public debate about whether digital IDs are truly in the public interest. Sadly, the fact this was announced as a dead cat strategy while Parliament is in recess suggests the UK Government has no real interest in an open or democratic debate.
“And let’s get one thing clear: a majority of people in Wales identify as Welsh only. Describing this as a ‘BritCard’ is the surest way to get a policy off to a bad start here.”
The UK last attempted to bring in identity cards under a Labour Government scheme in the 2000s, which was abandoned in 2010 amid concerns about cost and privacy. Any new digital ID proposal is likely to reignite those debates, particularly in devolved nations such as Wales where questions of identity remain politically sensitive.
