UK eyes Aadhaar-inspired digital ID as Starmer defends Brit Card amid privacy concerns

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has signalled interest in India’s Aadhaar biometric ID system following his recent visit to Mumbai, as a model for the UK’s proposed digital identity initiative, the "Brit Card." He described Aadhaar as a ‘massive success’ and highlighted its role in streamlining service delivery in India.

During his two-day trip, Starmer met with the co-founder of Infosys and architect of Aadhaar, Nandan Nilekani, to understand the system’s design and implementation. Aadhaar currently covers nearly 1.4 billion Indian residents, using biometric identifiers to enable access to banking, welfare, and services.

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A UK government spokesperson stated that the Brit Card will not incorporate biometric data and will focus instead on different priorities despite acknowledging Aadhaar’s criticism over data security and denial of service.

Initial Focus: Employment Verification & Immigration Control

The proposed Brit Card will initially be mandatory only for employment verification to address illegal working, which Starmer has linked to broader immigration enforcement efforts. The government maintains that inclusivity and data protection will be key pillars of the system.

Public Backlash Over Privacy & Surveillance Risks

Public support for digital IDs has declined since the announcement,. Concerns have emerged over privacy breaches and fears of government overreach. Starmer defended the initiative by citing daily inconveniences in proving identity, saying digital IDs could offer practical solutions.

No private technology providers have yet been partnered, and members of opposition parties and some Labour MPs have raised concerns over implementation costs and civil liberties, reportedly. The Brit Card proposal faces heightened scrutiny from both policymakers and the public.