The cards for veterans will act as a case study for a wider rollout
The introduction of digital ID cards for veterans could act as a “case study” for how such credentials operate and ease public worries over the Government’s plans to introduce mandatory IDs, a minister has suggested.
The digital veteran card scheme, which is being rolled out today (Friday, October 17), is voluntary and seeks to provide those who have served in the armed forces with a faster method to verify their status more readily to access services they are entitled to.
In contrast, the proposed digital IDs unveiled by Sir Keir Starmer last month would be compulsory for anyone employed in the UK as part of measures to tackle illegal working. Worries have been expressed about potential breaches of civil liberties and data protection matters as well as the expense of establishing and running a system of digital IDs.
Ian Murray, minister for digital government, recognised that the launch of digital cards for veterans could show the public how the credentials function and address some of their concerns, reports Wales Online.
The Labour MP for Edinburgh South stated: “(It’s) probably a demonstration to the public by default, in that sense, on the basis that this is the first use case for having a digital credential on your smartphone, and that digital credential is the first sort of verifiable one that government have now launched.”
He added: “So using a closed group like the 300,000 veterans is a really good case study to show that it does work. And it will be very beneficial, it shows the technology works, that shows that we can prove and dispense with some of those legitimate concerns around privacy and security and those kinds of issues.”
However, he insisted the veteran card isn’t intended as a trial run for digital IDs. He explained: “The launch of this card is about making the lives of veterans easier, to access government services and the benefits of that card, rather than being about demonstrating the much wider issues that you talk about… in terms of digital ID.”
How does the Veteran Card work?
The digital Veteran Card is an updated version of the existing physical Veteran Card, which ex-servicemen and women can use to signify their entitlement to a number of services.
The new card can be downloaded on a smartphone but is not compulsory, and the physical cards will continue to be accepted. The cards can be used to support holders when registering with their GP or seeking housing support, and also gives them discounts such as discounted museum access.
The veteran card marks the first digital document to be housed within the Government’s One Login app currently under development. Officials are also preparing to roll out digital driving licences.
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