Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has stirred up controversy with his call for every Briton to be issued with a “digital ID” to hold their passport, driving licence, tax records, qualifications and right to work status. The proposal, which Blair attempted to introduce while in Downing Street, has been criticised as a “creepy state plan” and an “intrusive mass digital identity system” by critics.

Blair and former Tory leader William Hague argue that such a system is necessary to reshape the state around technology, and that new biometric technology will address concerns about online dangers. However, critics have argued that the proposal is a violation of individual privacy and a slippery slope towards a database state.

The campaign group Big Brother Watch has accused Blair of reviving failed proposals for a mass digital identity system, while ex-Tory chairman Sir Jake Berry has called the plan “creepy” and “a state plan to track you from cradle to grave”. Many Britons share these concerns, with only 31% of those surveyed by YouGov opposing the idea of national ID cards.

Blair’s proposal raises significant questions about the balance between security and individual privacy. While national ID cards could be useful for verifying identity and preventing fraud, they also represent a major infringement on individual freedoms. Critics argue that the risks of such a system include data breaches, identity theft, and government surveillance.

Furthermore, the implementation of a national ID system raises questions about who would have access to citizens’ personal information and how it would be used. Critics argue that a system of this nature would give the government unprecedented power to monitor its citizens and that the risks outweigh any potential benefits.

The controversy surrounding Blair’s proposal highlights the ongoing debate over privacy and security in the digital age. As technology advances, it becomes increasingly important to ensure that individual rights are protected and that any proposals for new surveillance measures are subject to careful scrutiny.

In conclusion, while Blair’s proposal for a digital ID system has received support from some quarters, it has also been criticised as a violation of individual privacy and a step towards a database state. The debate over the balance between security and privacy is an ongoing one, and any proposals for new surveillance measures must be subject to careful scrutiny to ensure that individual rights are protected.