Other Writing

Councillors in Warrington have expressed their support for a motion opposing government proposals that would mandate the use of a digital ID for employment purposes.

Stuart Mann, [1] an independent councillor, has proposed a motion opposing [2] compulsory identification for work and advocating for voluntary alternatives during the full council meeting at Parr Hall. “My motion this evening is not about rejecting technology it is about defending choice, privacy and proportionality. It asks a...

Greater Manchester Police has initiated the use of Live Facial Recognition technology, employing two vans provided by the Home Office to identify individuals on watchlists in crowded areas and during significant public events.

The Greater Manchester Police or GMP [1] announced that new technology will be utilized to combat crime, locate wanted individuals, and protect vulnerable populations. The live facial recognition or LFR vans are scheduled for [2] their inaugural deployment in Sale town...

Hong Kong is set to significantly expand its public surveillance network, with plans to install around 60,000 CCTV cameras by 2028.

The number of surveillance cameras is set to rise significantly, from fewer than 4,000 currently operational under [1] the police-led SmartView programme. Legislative [2] filings indicate that the rollout will occur in phases over three years, concentrating on areas with higher foot traffic and crime rates. Police officials informed lawmakers that the enhanced...

The Albanian government plans to establish itself as a leader in digital innovation with the announcement of a national digital ID system expected to launch by early 2026, meanwhile the Prime Minister plans to have a cashless society by 2030.

Edi Rama, [1] the Albanian Prime Minister and member of the World Economic Forum highlighted the upcoming launch of the nation's digital ID system as a key element in its digital transformation during an event. He stated that the implementation of this...

New Zealand is advancing its digital transformation in the public sector through a reorganization of digital investment and procurement processes. The government has also committed to introducing mobile driver licenses by the end of 2025.

The minister responsible [1] for digital transformation expressed a strong interest in introducing a comprehensive application designed for digital identification. Judith Collins who [2] is the Minister for Digitizing Government and the Public Service said, “...

Australia is advancing with the establishment of a national facial recognition network that will connect the identity documents of millions of citizens, amid persistent concerns regarding privacy protections.

The National Driver Licence Facial Recognition Solution or NDLFRS [1] aims to integrate biometric information from driver's licenses and passports, enabling both government agencies and private companies to authenticate individual identities. Although the initiative was proposed eight...

Thousands of demonstrators gathered in central London on Saturday afternoon to express their opposition to proposed digital ID plans.

Thousands of protesters filled [1] the streets of central London to express their opposition to the government's proposed implementation of digital ID cards. Under strict police oversight, demonstrators chanted slogans and carried banners during their march from Marble Arch to Whitehall. In September, Sir Keir Starmer revealed [2] plans for a mandatory digital...

A Green Party MP has initiated an effort to halt the Labour government's proposals for their digital ID scheme, attracting support from multiple political parties.

Sian Berry, [1] the Green Party MP for Brighton, has submitted an early day motion in the House of Commons that “strongly condemns” the plans put forth by Keir Starmer in September. Starmer had [2] previously announced that digital IDs will be mandatory for proving the right to work; however, individuals will not be required to...

The Davao City Police Office in the Philippines has expressed its backing for a proposed ordinance aimed at integrating facial recognition technology into the city’s surveillance and emergency-response systems.

[1] Acting Director Col. Mannan C. Muarip held discussions with city officials to fine-tune a proposed ordinance that [2] would integrate facial-recognition technology with the Davao City 911 Command Centre via a GPS-enabled and geospatially integrated platform. The measure seeks to...

Plans to expand the role of the state may require children as young as 13 to obtain digital ID cards, raising concerns among critics.

The UK government is advocating for the extension of digital IDs to children as young as 13, [1] according to reports from the Daily Mail. The topic of digital IDs has gained significant attention in public discussions since Keir Starmer revealed proposals for their implementation at the end of September. The announcement of a proposed digital ID system in the...

UK authorities would utilize facial recognition technology as part of a new proposal aimed at enhancing migration control. Conservative Party Leader Kemi Badenoch has outlined plans to implement facial recognition for the identification of immigrants targeted for deportation despite civil liberty concerns.

Kemi Badenoch [1] the Shadow Opposition leader and leader of Conservative Party intends to implement facial recognition technology to identify immigrants for deportation. According to Sky...

The use of live facial recognition systems in the UK is rising, even as concerns persist regarding the lack of adequate safeguards for the technology.

The Telegraph reports that [1] approximately 51,000 faces were scanned in one day by LFR technology at London Underground stations in August. The Metropolitan Police have been increasing the implementation of LFR in these stations as part of their strategy to reduce crime. On August 13, the UK Home Office [2] revealed plans to deploy additional...

European policymakers are poised to make a decision that may require technology companies to scan encrypted messages, claiming it would address child abuse material. However this development rekindles a longstanding debate surrounding online privacy and security.

The Regulation to Prevent and Combat Child Sexual Abuse, often referred to as Chat Control, [1] is a proposed regulation by the European Union, introduced by Ylva Johansson [2] the European Commissioner for Home Affairs. The EU claims...

Northern Ireland's main political parties have collectively opposed the UK government's recently proposed initiative to implement mandatory digital identification for all UK citizens.

The proposed mandatory digital ID card introduced by the Labour government will feature personal details including name, date of birth, nationality or residency status, and a photograph. Michelle O'Neill, who [1] is the first minister of Northern Ireland, has criticized [2] the proposal for a compulsory UK-wide...

The Plaid Cymru, a Welsh political party has expressed significant opposition to the UK government's proposals, cautioning that the scheme may endanger vulnerable populations and threaten fundamental rights.

The UK government has announced plans to implement mandatory digital IDs for citizens and legal residents to confirm their right to work. The initiative aims to provide a smartphone-based digital ID as a means of enhancing identity verification and reducing illegal employment. The Plaid...

Google has acknowledged that it capitulated to pressure from the Biden administration to eliminate content that did not violate its own guidelines, ending years of denial regarding bias.

The announcement includes a commitment to reinstate access to YouTube accounts that were permanently removed due to political speech concerning COVID-19 and elections, [1] areas in which government officials had exerted behind-the-scenes pressure to influence the narrative according to the Judiciary press...

An online petition advocating against the introduction of mandatory digital ID cards by the UK government has garnered 2 million signatures.

A petition on the UK government website [1] has gained traction following Prime Minister Keir Starmer's announcement of a digital ID card scheme during a speech, reaching 2 million signatures. According to the plans, all UK citizens will receive a digital ID, although participation will not be mandatory. The rollout of the scheme is expected to be...

The Liberal Democrats have announced they will not support the UK government’s mandatory digital ID legislation after Sir Keir Starmer plans to move forward with the biometric initiative.

In response to the expectation that the Prime Minister Kier Starmer’s plans for a compulsory digital ID scheme in his speech, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Science, Innovation & Technology Victoria Collins and [1] MP for Harpenden and Berkhamsted stated that the Liberal Democrats will [2] not support...

Sir Keir Starmer is set to present proposals for the implementation of digital identification cards for UK residents during the Labour Party conference, however he faces opposition from civil liberties campaigners.

Immigration and asylum continue [1] to dominate political discussions in the UK, with the UK government facing increasing pressure to address the influx of migrants arriving by small boats and the challenges associated with housing tens of thousands of asylum seekers, In September...

The European Central Bank has suggested granting EU capitals greater authority in the development of a digital euro, potentially paving the way for an agreement on the contentious initiative following a year of stagnation, however opposition to the CBDC remains.

The European Commission has [1] introduced a proposal to national government officials regarding the maximum amount of digital euros permitted in digital wallets. Governments have expressed the desire to have the final authority on...