Welp, this is gonna be a privacy clusterfuck.
Genuine question: how is this a privacy invasion? Isn’t it simply digitising the already needed paperwork?
ID Cards are a big hot button issue in the UK. We only really had them in the UK during the Second World War as a matter of national security, but after that they were scrapped.
Basically this document will not stop illegal working (because you know, people who hire illegal workers don’t check paperwork) but what they will do is link everything to your card, especially with the Online Safety Act. Said something like “Palestine Action shouldn’t be Proscribed”? You can be flagged and the Cops can notice that when they scan your card. Transgender? That can be flagged and the Cops will treat you differently.
Add to that the idea of a Politcal Party like Reform getting into power and you can imagine how much of a clusterfuck this will be if they decide to have a “War on Woke”.
Basically this document will not stop illegal working (because you know, people who hire illegal workers don’t check paperwork)
Totally agree on this, but as for the rest, I’m guessing this only expedites linking up information by virtue of it being in a computerised system rather than enabling it at all.
It is very worrisome that a party like that could get into power, but it doesn’t change how it’s always been, we are at the “mercy” of our government, if they want to single out a demographic and actively hamper it, they will find a way regardless of the tools in use.To focus on this as a bad aspect looks to me like it’s sort of missing the point, this more or less should provide an easier management of information.
What could be argued instead, is that it is locking out people who don’t have the access to devices enabled to it, which is a real problem if they want to phase out papers completely. Here in Italy already with the IO app we can (so it’s currently fully optional) have our driving licence digitised, but that single feature doesn’t work (at least for now, and it’s been almost a year by now that support hasn’t been added) on GrapheneOS, for example.
I think the real issues are two: a hostile government, which holds true regardless of methods, and lack of support for secure and private platforms which the citizens should 100% be entitled to useBut are they not already able to have a file linked to your physical ID? What difference does digitising ID make in that regard?
This is typical of Starmer: an empty vacuous authoritarian solution to an already solved problem.
It will do nothing to stop undocumented workers from being exploited by unscrupulous employers who will still pay them a pittance in cash but will add to the already massive surveillance state, and with the inevitable mission creep, it will end up being required for innocuous day to day tasks such as getting prescriptions, seeing medical services, possible even things such as purchasing travel or alcohol.
Then you can imagine what happens if someone ID is deactivated, accidentally or on purpose.
With future govts, what if one of them wants to prosecute it’s political opponents?
It’s just the most stupid idea from a guy that is a completely lame duck prime minister
This is quite a succinct response to the status quo. People will be placed under the mercy of the government, and as history has taught us, the government will not resist the urge to torment its people.
Damn UK is getting really Orvelian fast. Not really surprising They always had authoritarian politicians
If I were to describe the UK, it would be as three and a bit countries in a trench coat and the country in control of the legs are constantly trying to run onto a busy motorway no matter what.
The UK has always been Orwellian, it’s just the way they justify their Orwellian shit that changes. This is the third government I’ve lived under that has advocated for ID Cards and the next government (Reform) is going to use this and the OSA to absolutely fuck people over.
Why is Reform the next government? Did we have a general election while I was taking a nap?
They’re currently leading the Polls right now, so if an election is held right now they’re likely going to be the next government. If fortunes change for them that might not be the case but shit looks grim.
Okay, but the next general election is literal years away. Treating them as an inevitability feels short-sighted.
You sure about that?
Is there something you know that you’d like to share with the class? I’m phrasing it snarkily because you’re being dismissive, however the question is genuine. What is it that you know that I don’t?
I’m reminded of an old joke about the Conservatives:
“But what are our actual policies?”
“The last thing we’re going to do when ahead in the polls is talk about policies!”My point being that Reform seem to be polling well but unless all the other parties decide to do literally nothing, so what? The polling at the time of an election is what matters.
Are the other parties just going to give up and go home? They’re far too power hungry and self serving for that…
Unfortunately I have to agree, they are incredibly popular with most people outside of cities. Best case it will be a coalition, and not pure reform.
I witnessed a reform voter driving past with a megaphone the other day, screaming about stopping the boats/sending them back etc, this was the middle of nowhere aswell.
Between this and the privacy worries, the UK is spiralling.
Is there any data to back this up (e.g. YouGov polling)? The general election isn’t for ages and we’ve just collectively decided that these idiots can have power next because it’s their turn…?
Edit: It would have been easy for someone to link to some data: https://yougov.co.uk/politics/articles/53059-yougov-mrp-shows-a-reform-uk-government-a-near-certainty-if-an-election-were-held-tomorrow
However even with that polling, the next general election isn’t tomorrow. So are we just going to lie down and let these dickheads control the UK?
I have to wonder if this a large portion of this is due to the monarchy being a significant part of theur national identity. While monarchies aren’t necessarily authoritarian, the two concepts are frequent bedfellows
Nah. The monarchy absolutely is not part of our identity. More importantly, they don’t have any part in making decisions - parliament and the current govt. do.
We have some croaky institutions (the Lords) and a stupid voting system (first past the post - just like the U.S) but the monarchy is just a figurehead with some unfair land ownership laws - but the monarchy itself has no authority on this. Today’s bs comes down to heir Starmer’s cluelessness/arrogance.
I don’t think this Starmer guy is clueless at all. one of the most successful lies that we were told and believe in modern society is that politicians are stupid or they don’t have much power and other people in background control them so we don’t expect much from them when they screw us constantly. The way I see it this Starmer guy is following his authoritarian regime plan flawlessly. devide and conquer
You maybe right about the authoritarian part, but I guarantee you they don’t know a thing about technology - evidenced by their unwillingness to listen to experts on matters like the Online Safety Act or on trying to outlaw e2ee. Starmer made Peter Kyle Secretary of State for Science, who said “For everyone thinking of using a VPN, verifying your age keeps a child safe … so let’s not try find a way around, just prove your age, make the internet safer for children.” Authoritarian certainly is an adjective to describe these people, but so also is clueless.
So many real issues in the world but nah, we need more surveillance state. We need to eat the rich like now
That’s exactly the outcome they’re preparing for. They know people are at their limit.
I don’t think anything will prepare them for it, their hubris is unreal and they’ve shown time and time again how incompetent they are
Yup. Marx predicted what they’d do with such accuracy, it’s like they’re following a script. They should read ahead to see how it works out for them.
Are the British allowed to have knives and forks?
Could have had Jeremy Corbyn UK
Thanks Israel.
Welp, I’ve been anti-authoritarian ever since I learned what it was, but this is the moment I will actively reject the UK government. They’re finally coming to directly interfere with my life. I’ll never work at companies that conform to this as long as it’s in place, and I urge others to do the same.
Yes, going after immigrants instead of employer violators will definitely work to curb illegal employment.
