Why You Should Be Worried About Digital ID - Silkie Carlo (Video)

In this 5 October 2025 published video, hosts Konstantin Kisin and Francis Foster talk with Silkie Carlo who is Director of Big Brother Watch, a UK civil liberties group, and a leading campaigner on privacy, surveillance, and digital rights.

Digital ID will function as an electronic, mobile-first version of your physical ID, storing personal information like your name, date of birth, and photo on a smartphone or other device. Users will verify their identity by presenting a secure credential on their device for various purposes, including age verification, accessing government services, and passing through airport security. The system uses a secure digital wallet to store and manage these credentials, often utilizing biometric authentication like face ID or fingerprint scanning to unlock access. 

https://youtu.be/xhymUHtl4p8

How It Works

• Digital Credential Storage: A digital ID, like a mobile driver’s license, is stored in a secure digital wallet on your smartphone. 
• Biometric/Password Protection: Accessing this digital wallet requires a secure authentication method, such as a password, face ID, or fingerprint, to prevent unauthorized use. 
• Secure Transaction: When you need to prove your identity, the digital ID can be presented electronically. 
• Information Sharing: The system is designed to share only the necessary information for the specific transaction, such as just confirming you’re over 18, rather than your full date of birth, reducing the amount of personal data you reveal. 

Examples of Use

• Age Verification: Proving your age for restricted products or online content. 
• Government Services: Accessing services, social benefits, and voting in elections without needing to repeat verification processes. 
• Travel: Expediting airport security checks at participating airports. 
• Online Transactions: Signing documents or executing contracts securely online. 

Security Features

• Biometric Authentication: Using facial recognition or fingerprint scanning to verify the user’s identity. 
• Secure Digital Wallets: Storing credentials in a secure, built-in system on the phone, similar to other secure apps. 
• Minimized Data Sharing: Systems are designed to share only the essential pieces of information needed for a specific transaction, such as just confirming “over 18″.