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A clear majority of Belfast Live readers say they won’t be signing up for the UK Government’s planned “BritCard” digital ID scheme. In a poll conducted following the announcement of the proposed system, just 15 per cent (229) of readers said they would use the BritCard, compared to 80 per cent (1,200) who said they would not. Another 74 said they weren’t sure. The BritCard, described by ministers as a voluntary digital identification system, is expected to be used to prove identity online and access public services. However, critics have raised concerns over privacy, data protection, and whether the cards could become mandatory over time. When readers were asked if they believed the digital ID would help tackle illegal immigration, one of the government’s stated aims, only 6 per cent said yes (95 readers). A much larger 89 per cent said no (1,337) , while five per cent said they didn’t know. The results suggest widespread scepticism among the Northern Ireland public about the government’s digital identity plans, both in terms of personal uptake and broader effectiveness. The Government has said the scheme will be optional; however, it will be required to prove your right to work, and that data will be protected under existing laws, but opponents argue the public remains unconvinced. Last month, councillors in Lisburn and Castlereagh voted unanimously to write to the Prime Minister to outline their opposition to the proposals and urge him to drop them. For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our politics newsletter here.
