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Comment by AlexandrB | Hacker News Reader

For now.

For whatever reason, Tony Blair's think tank is obsessed with this idea[1]. As I understand he still has a lot of influence over British politics.

[1] https://institute.global/digital-id-what-is-it-and-how-it-wo...

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> For whatever reason, Tony Blair's think tank is obsessed with this idea.

Probably considers it as unfinished business from his administration: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Identity_Cards_Act_2006

If you ignore all the big red flags, it _is_ an attractive and convenient idea. One ID for all my government services? Useful. The devil, as always, is in the details

There are absolutely ways to implement a digital ID system that is not soaking wet with red flags. See the following: https://www.eid.admin.ch/en/swiyu-coming-soon-e

It doesn't originate with him, it is being phased in internationally. It's obviously been discussed far more widely.

It may not originate with Tony Blair, but he might be the one trying to get it passed in the UK specifically.

William Hague is pushing for it too.

Anyone with half a brain can see it could be a good idea. Everything else is online, why shouldn't ID be? Better to send a validated token to companies doing KYC than actual PII. And that's before you get into the illegal immigration, right to work, etc.

I really don't understand the arguments against it. You don't think the State can't shut you down if you break the law already?

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