Protect the Right to Live Without a Digital ID
I want a legal safeguard in all digital-ID laws that guarantees no one can be denied work, healthcare, banking, housing, or any other service for not having a government digital ID. Use must remain voluntary, and non-digital alternatives must always be available to prevent exclusion or pressure..
Signatures
21,492
signatures
Government response threshold (10,000) · 10,000/10,000 · reached
Debate threshold (100,000) · 21,492/100,000
- 17 MAR 2026Government respondedCabinet OfficeGovernment reply
The Government is introducing a Digital ID system and will legislate for it to be voluntary, and free to access for anyone who wants it. The Government is consulting on the design of that scheme.
Read full response - 19 FEB 202610,000 signatures reachedEligible for a government response
- 02 JAN 2026Petition opened for signaturesCreated by Scott Lock
Background
Without legal protections, a voluntary digital ID system could become coercive if access to services or participation in daily life depends on it. There is currently no explicit legal safeguard to prevent digital ID from being over-relied on by either public or private organisations. Digital ID systems can shape access not only to essential services but also wider participation in society. Legal protections could ensure that people can choose without facing disadvantage or indirect compulsion.