Key facts
- UK government plans may require digital IDs for full smartphone access.
- Tech firms like Apple and Google could be compelled to implement age verification.
- Critics warn the measures will lead to population-wide ID checks and loss of anonymity.
- The proposals are linked to the UK's Online Safety Act and digital identity framework.
- Concerns are raised about potential government surveillance and control over device usage.
The UK government is reportedly accelerating plans to mandate digital identification for full access to smartphones, a move critics are likening to a 'digital ID lockdown.' Leaked proposals suggest that tech giants like Apple and Google would be compelled to implement stringent age verification systems, effectively requiring users to present a digital ID to set up and operate their devices. This initiative is framed as a measure to protect children online, aligning with the UK's Online Safety Act, but privacy advocates argue it will result in population-wide ID checks for all adults.