map shows which countries already use digital id cards with uk set to follow soon

Sir Keir Starmer has unveiled plans to roll out digital ID cards as a mandatory requirement to work in the UK.

The Prime Minister hailed it as a tool that would help curb illegal migration,but the proposal has faced intense backlash.

Concerns have been raised over privacy,and that digital IDs could pose a cybersecurity risk.

More than 1.5 million people and counting have signed a petition calling for the digital ID to be scrapped.

Digital ID cards will become a tool to prove ‘right to work’ in the UK,the government has announced (Picture: Metro)

Italy

Identity cards are widely used in Italy,although citizens are not legally required to carry them around.

From 2016,physical cards have been phased out and replaced with an electronic version.

UAE

In April,the Emirates announced plans to replace physical ID cards with a facial recognition-based digital ID system.

Known as UAE Pass,the new electronic ID is accessed via a dedicated smartphone application and will allow residents to authenticate themselves for a range of transactions and both public and private services.

The EU

From 2026,citizens,residents and businesses in all EU member states will be able to apply for a European Digital Identity Wallet.

According to the European Commission,the scheme will allow for better access to public services,with improved cybersecurity and fraud prevention.

It will also cut costs for businesses by making it easier for them to identify and authenticate their customers.