• Source:JND

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has unveiled plans to introduce a new digital identity card, known as the Brit Card, to strengthen employment verification and tackle illegal working in the United Kingdom. The move, which was inspired by India's Aadhaar, reflects Starmer's appreciation for India's digital governance model, which he termed a "massive success" on his recent visit to Mumbai.

What Is Brit Card?

The Brit Card is a digital identity concept that was introduced to verify the employment status of people in the UK. Unlike the Aadhaar in India, it will not ask for or store biometric information like fingerprints or iris scans. The card will be used as proof of identity and right-to-work and will help simplify verification processes, but block illegal jobs. Starmer adds that it would be developed on the lines of inclusivity, data protection, and public trust, making it functional as well as privacy-sensitive.

Key Brit Card Scheme Features:

• No Biometric Data: The Brit Card will not include fingerprints, iris scans, or facial recognition, but instead utilize digital verification.
• Employment-Centric Rollout: In the first instance, only compulsory for those applying for work to avoid illegal working and identity deception.
• Priority of Data Protection: The system will have strict UK data protection legislation to ensure it does not fall into the wrong hands or raise surveillance issues.
• Learning From Aadhaar: India's Aadhaar model, which has reduced corruption and improved welfare delivery, has inspired the scheme.
• Digital Convenience: Seeks to minimize the use of multiple paper documents for routine services like employment applications, school admissions, and bank verifications.
• Voluntary Expansion Possible: Could subsequently extend to other services but is primarily concerned with employment in the first phase.
• Implementation Timeline: Should be up and running by the end of the current parliamentary term, probably by 2029.

In his two-day visit to Mumbai recently, Starmer met with Nandan Nilekani, Infosys co-founder and a key architect of Aadhaar, to discuss how India succeeded in scaling up its digital ID system to cover almost 1.4 billion citizens. According to the British Prime Minister, Aadhaar's model has lessons for the UK as it sets out to introduce its own identity framework. “We’ve seen how India built a transparent and inclusive digital identity system. It’s been a huge success, and there’s a lot we can learn from it,” Starmer told reporters during his visit.

India's Aadhaar, introduced more than 15 years ago, gives residents a 12-digit unique identification number and links to banking, welfare, and government services. The system has saved billions by cutting fraud and enhancing delivery efficiency, according to reports.

Even with its success, Aadhaar has been criticised on data security and rare exclusion mistakes. Starmer conceded the issues, stating that the UK would take a "privacy-first" posture. "Inclusivity and data protection will be at the heart of our design," a British government spokesperson stated.

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Opposition parties and a number of Labour MPs have also raised questions about the proposal, citing costs, privacy, and overreach by the government as potential hot-button topics. The Conservative Party and the Liberal Democrats have demanded a national debate prior to implementation, but civil rights organisations emphasise the imperative for open oversight.

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As UK proceeds to develop the Brit Card, Starmer's appreciation of India's Aadhaar highlights how innovative digital practices in the developing world are influencing governance frameworks globally. Whether the Brit Card can overcome privacy fears and win public trust remains a question for the years ahead.

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