Public sentiment towards digital identity systems is overwhelmingly negative, with deep-rooted concerns regarding privacy, government control, and potential surveillance. Many commenters express a strong desire for personal freedom and outright rejection of any mandated digital identification, viewing these systems as tools for increased government overreach and loss of individual liberties.

Government

Tech Companies

Privacy Advocates

I have less than 0% trust in the government to store personal information securely (see: IRD recently giving all our personal information to Meta, multiple health information leaks over the last ten years, NZTA giving our personal information to gangs, etc).

Having said that, the government already holds this info, and I don't see this creating any considerably greater risk than already present. What I would like to see is a strengthening of privacy laws, and some teeth in those laws for parties who breach them. The recent biometrics code released by the Privacy Commissioner was too weak, imo.

RaaymakersAuthor

I do t have a problem with digital ID itself, I just have no trust in our government to keep it secure.

Elegant-Raise-9367

Zero trust whatsoever in it.

Police can already pull up details on their devices and see a picture, anything else that needs to see ID is typically known in advance and should be planned for.

It may be optional now, but in time it won't.

It may not tied to anything online now, but it is only a single shithead leader away before it is, and then it's required to access websites.

It's a solution that is in need of a problem.

Imaginary-Daikon-177

The Real Me service is a privacy-preserving digital identity verification service as good as anything available anywhere.  I’d certainly rather have that than some dodgy third-party service.

MrJingleJangle

I'd rather hang on to my piece of plastic. Not everything should be digital.

AppealFit3401

There's a lot to be suspicious about Palantir tendering for data contracts in NZ. At some stage, ACT or Nats will have the opportunity to have them tender for the contracts here. 

I'm not sure if this will lead to that directly but it does feel we're sliding that way like it or not.

jazzcomputer

If it were 10yrs ago I might have considered the convenience worth it. But at this point in time with this current government? Hell no!!!

Personally I find it very suspicious that they are talking about "online digital id" right when a whole bunch of Western nations are simultaneously rolling out extremely invasive online censorship laws. This government has proven time  and time again that they are more than willing to sell us kiwis out to the highest bidder- I doubt this is any different. 



My money is on them:

 1) Bringing this bill in as an optional choice for convenience and waiting for as many people as possible to take it up.

2)Suddenly announcing out of the blue that they are censoring the internet "to protect children" and the only way for adults to access reddit/youtube/Wikipedia will be through them providing their digital id.

3)Once everyone is forced to use the digital id system (or else be locked out of participating in society), they will start selling off our data to anyone and everyone, no matter how dodgy or actively hostile towards New Zealand.

4)Because the internet is now fully censored nobody will be able to call out or criticise the mass surveillance and selling of our personal information.

dirtnerd245

Accomplished_Gold510

Im not a fan honestly.

I just feel like I shouldn't be required by the government to have my cell phone on me when I'm driving. It's no business of theirs where I choose to travel, and we know they can track cell phone location data easily.

OisforOwesome

My opinion is that it's the first step in introducing a full totalitarian regime.

China's government has a social credit system that rewards citizens for positive behaviours, and punishes them for negative behaviours. And the government legislates the morality of said behaviour, so 'good' behaviour tends to include supporting the CCP, and 'bad' behaviour tends to include speaking out against the system. This social credit score directly ties to ability to get healthcare and bank loans. Extreme 'bad' behaviour will result in your face being plastered on billboards as a threat to the state, and neighbours are financially incentivised to dob in those who are 'misbehaving'.

If the government can easily and instantly tie anonymous comments said online to specific individuals, it's only a matter of time until you start being told what you can and cannot say.

Take it from me - someone who was told by WINZ to modify my social media behaviour, as they had deemed that some of my comments might make me less employable, thus failing to meet my benefit obligations. They were actively controlling my speech - with a financial incentive.

Granted, I could simply not *claim* the benfit while unemployed, and I could simply exclusively opt for *private* healthcare, and if I did, I would likely be afforded a right to free speech... but good luck completely avoiding governmental assistance while unemployed. And if you're dependent on the government, you have to bend to their whim.

Digital identity is analogous to speech control. You may claim that such impositions help to limit hate speech... which is true. But just wait until the government suddenly decides that criticism of the government constitutes hate speech. Suddenly, you'll have a lawsuit on your hands.

Pleasant_Lead5693

slaf69

Ultimately it would be great if we could all trust the government and civil service enough to implement and manage this correctly.

For me, if it’s adding convenience I’d be keen, but we should have the right to choose.

tres-avantage

Nope. Its all about control. A good amount of control is welcomed. But who can trust ANY government that they wont abuse it. Give a stick to a man, he’ll find a way to weaponise it for his gain. Government is no different.

Decent-Slide-9317

Just-Context-4703

0% Trust in it and will be refusing to use it.

Illustrious-Falcon-8

I feel there would be privacy act issues theres a reason govt agencies have to ask permission to share/ coalate your verious infos

butt_monkey24

That's gonna be one impressive excel spreadsheet.  I'm surprised they have a machine that can open it.

AssociateNo3312

As a software developer I’m suspicious of this kind of thing, but with *this* government doing it? No way.

ctothel

Soon you will need a digital id to access Google and social media. 

creative_avocado20

In theory? Sure.

In practice? No the people the helm are idiots and have a track record of terrible opsec, breaches, and data sales.

fresh-anus

I foresee a future where internet is controlled/restricted and to use it you must present your digital ID/biometrics. No more keyboard warriors...

Relative-Parfait-772

I could wheel out all the conspiracy theories about control (social credit scores, carbon footprint 'limits', smart city blahblahblah) but, keeping it simple - why bother? You already have most of the shit on your phone. Why introduce another level of potential fuk up and (tax payer funded) cost for no real benefit? What would it actually improve?

Lonely_Row8023

I'm fine with it so long as it isn't mandatory.

raspberryslushie21

No thanks. The govt can stick their digital I.D initiative up their Arse.

Assmonkey2021

Just remember the government made us all stay at home in a lock down once upon a time. Just think of the possibilitys with a digital access to everything all in one spot. 

Alarming-Round-DBZ

Don't want it at all. Will choose not to use it if there is a choice. If there is no choice I will fight not to use it.

Broccobillo

Problem looking for solution.
Will be hacked and data lost and used for id theft.

Nervous_Bill_6051

As long as it is done with the public's consent. If we do it without consent, and make it mandatory, we would be no different than China.

Creative_Group8945

NZ govt are hopeless with any kind of secure storage of information- as with Meta they just give our information away for free. They even SOLD a NZ citizenship to that weirdo Peter Thiel for cheap. Thiel developed and OWNS PALANTIR world leader in human surveillance. I have No doubt that once this database is created some underpaid minion wouldn’t hesitate to put all our personal data on a flash drive and sell it to the highest bidder in the near future. 
It’s concerning too that high level police are engaging in consuming child porn but their systems didn’t discover that fact for far too long.

XyloXlo

Professionally as a Pawnbroker, I will find it useful.

So many people already have a photo of their licence on their phones to try and use as identification. Which we don’t accept. 

So having an official digital ID for that will be great.

Savarius

It’s just another step in the long march to total government monitoring of everything we do. We are already very far down that road. From there it’s really just a question of what party is in office to wield that massive power.

Remarkable-Camel3319

NiceUsernameWasTaken

So do they already have the digital ID they just haven't launched it yet?

mr_mark_headroom

Going down the same road as the UK, just different way of promoting...

Expert-Ad-816

The government already holds all of this data.


Government had enough layers and corporate BS that they will do it properly, if possibly in the most expensive way possible.


The real question for me is will it be put on my phone in a sensible, reasonable, and secure way. Thats still relatively new tech. They did it right with the vaccine passport, storing a signed assertion of the data. That's not guarantee they'll do it here again.

Goodie__

biometrics are your username, not your password.

biometrics shouldnt be used to protect anything. do not want.

pepelevamp

What a convenient way for hackers to steal the personal information of a whole country!

PJenningsofSussex

Ok-Warthog2065

ApSciLiara

It's not just your future data that can be monitored. If it extends to internet access then ,all past data can be hoovered up. Say anything stupid, see anything stupid, listen to anything stupid when you were younger?? If anyone would pay for that summary then tech companies would sell it. Police? Employers? Insurers? Border control?

dysjoint

George Orwell wrote a book about this, why would I want that as my reality

calfuzion

Where can I find out more about this?
(tbh I haven't bothered looking) 

I would like to know things like:

If I'm pulled over for speeding, am I expected to hand over my unlocked phone to the cops while they go back to their car and look me up on their computer or write me a ticket?
Not sure I'd feel comfortable with that, even though there's nothing bad on my phone. 

Or if it's being used for age identification is it being scanned by bouncers or are they just looking at it like our current IDs?

Its MUCH easier to fake a digital ID if its just being sighted like a physical ID so I'm  Assuming it will need to have the QR code scanned... In which case, does the scanner save any data? What does the scanner read or display?
Is this potential creating a digital trail or log of the bars we visit or how how often we buy alcohol?

DarkMain

Honestly, we don't need digital IDs, they serve no use, as let's just say your phone breaks, how are you going to get a new one? Oh, wait, you can't because you don't have your digital ID. like no one wants it.  
They are trying to solve a problem that doesn't exist.

Edit: the UK has tried digital IDs in the past, in 2009 I think, and it failed because no one wanted it, and now they are just trying to force it upon people. (Its all about control.)

goofy_goober25

I think it's another step to a cashless society, and it reeks of thiel, paladin, and the weird christo-fascist agenda that we know Seymour and the boys are into. I hate that some pricks read neuromancer and thought that cyberpunk dystopia was the coolest thing, but missed the memo about it being cautionary not aspirational.

Minute_Carpenter_317

Dramatic_Surprise

Who cares? It's all digital anyway. It just means we dont carry around a piece of plastic. All our lives are online. Plus I dont really intend to do anything that I would have to worry about. I already have my money on my phone. If you do something wrong they can track you from your phone anyway. If you want to commit a crime leave your phone at home anyway. It the phone that is tracked, not the licence.

BarracudaOk8635

TuckHolladay

We have different ID cards, such as driver license. 

Then what is the digital ID for?  

[DIGITAL ID: "Taking away freedom!" - Beverley Turner](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_tx2L-7UfI)

[Why Starmer’s Digital ID Plans are Already Collapsing](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvo6k0Dw-nU) 

[Digital ID cards for everyone?](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Y7VmV6GKYfk) 

If these are the reasons, then Why is digital ID in all these countries now?

PLUTO_HAS_COME_BACK

RFK Jr's 100% right.  I've been ranting about DigID and the Digital Slavery System for a decade and can't believe so many people are still in the dark about it.

And you're right about that Trojan Horse.

ANYONE supporting the Digital Slavery System is a traitor and an enemy of We The People.

AT61

95% of the people I know hate this guy and trash talk him. I don't care.

Maybe he's a sheepdog for the right, as Sanders is for the left. I don't care.

Sometimes he says shit that's unhinged. Sometimes he's flat out wrong about shit.

But you know what?

In so many cases, such as this one, his rhetoric is true; he manages to articulate the uncomfortable realities that no one else in Washington has the cajones to speak about.

Fuck the haters. Kennedy can take my vote every time.

MushyWasHere

I'd look twice at RFK - dude seems to be [speaking out of both sides of his mouth](https://www.politico.com/newsletters/future-pulse/2025/06/24/rfk-jr-wants-a-wearable-on-your-wrist-00419190)

re_trace

[These guys, for one](https://www.reddit.com/r/WayOfTheBern/comments/1o9dr9y/texas_is_sued_over_digital_id_age_verification/).

-

There may be others we're just not hearing about. I'm guessing the pushback will come more at the state level than the federal level so that would be a good place to look.

-

You also have to consider that the whole thing is being pushed as a way to protect minors so it takes more thought and skill to counter it without coming across as being against something, protecting minors, that most people agree on.

penelopepnortney

External-Doubt-9301

Given that our government is known to be incapable of introducing an ID system without huge scope creep, no, I wouldn't welcome it at all.

motific

It sounds like an easy way to bring about Orwell's 1984. I'm just grateful that, although I live in the UK, I'm an Irish citizen and wouldn't be required to get one. We have our passport cards and they're good enough for me.

Frosty_Thoughts

IllustriousPhoto3865

Fragile_reddit_mods

papers please. Yes, I am invoking Godwin's Law.

[deleted]

Nope, what's the benefit to the every day individual?

Goldenbeardyman

samuel199228

Worldly_Table_5092

Being dual citizen I happen to have a digital ID in another country. The sky didn’t fell to the ground when it was introduced. I have all my bureaucracy pertaining to that state contained in one app and I can even get married via it. 

As for privacy I think our generation made peace with the fact that it’s dead. All the places you travel to, shop at, stay at hoover up your data and create shadow profiles (I’m not even mentioning Meta and the likes).

There are passport and drivers licences in the UK already. If drivers licence becomes an apple wallet digital pass I’d welcome it as it saves ton of plastic cards, speeds things up and I don’t have to carry that with me.

ElectricDoughnutHole

do not want

the problem is less the idea if some sort of photo ID you can carry, though I suspect many of us already have that, the issue is basically two fold

1. the mahoosive overreaching database that will sit behind this to record just about everything, with the only "security" being designed so it can be sold before its stolen

2. the fact every peaked cap wearing moron will be gifted the power to demand to see it

  
and thats before you get into "for your security you will have to produce this to buy fuel or travel" etc

  
frankly I do not trust this government, and critically I do not trust future ones, not to abuse this

aleopardstail

Yea but more likely to be declined in places, how do you know if its real or not?

BourbonSn4ke

Adventurous_Rock294

I see nothing in it that will benefit us.

Shot_Principle4939

It's a threat to privacy. One data leak, combined with AI could do serious damage. It's only a precursor to the government developing a social credit system (like America is doing with Palantir against criticisms of Israel). They already have all the infrastructure available through the GCHQ's massive data centers.

R2-Scotia

I should think a better effort overall before I give up liberty would be nice

Responsible_Rip1058

No thanks 

But I suspect it’s coming

1. Import hundreds of thousands of migrants
2. Give them freebies galore
3. Sit back as they r@pe and kill etc 
4. Let your own people suffer, push them to the brink
5. Watch civil unrest take place
6. Arrest as many as you can
7. Bring in digital IDs to “protect people”

You now control them 

Job Done

Scammers will now build fake identical verification checks which will get all your personal data and biometrics then if you have enabled your camera and mic on your device to the browser they will be watching you and probably end up blackmailing you which would be very easy as they have all your details. 

This will not end well.

sxeros

On paper I think I'd be handy to have all the info in one place. 

In reality I'd be scared about mistakes and scope creep.

Shoddy-Reply-7217

The government already has all the data it needs to create these Digital IDs. It's been incredibly difficult to live in the UK for a while now without having a driving license or password, without being registered for council tax or having an NI number.

My only concern is whichever 3rd party company they contract to make it happen. Private tech is notoriously bad at security. Russia and other states, as well as criminals, are constantly trying to hack us. Unless the data is stored in some kind of Fort Knox style server bunker, with top-tier security measures, it's at risk. And no government is going to pay what it costs for any 3rd party to guarantee that level of security.

pyromanta

No I would not welcome Digital ID or anything else they go JUMP in a Lake .  This is Canada .. Liberal's are all  Commies

brutusfamilyday2020

Fuck no. Even without the massive security concerns it still feels like a buildup to a nice simulation of 1984

Tiny_Prune_4424

No digital id. I don't want to be tracked and traced wherever I go. I've turned off location on my phone. This government will abuse it and use it against us. 

Heavy_Ad686

It's very alarming. I've been scammed a few times over the years and I'm quite sure the only thing these people need to pretend to be me (at least in the digital realm) is: a facial ID (the governments latest overreach) and some form of digital passport or drivers licence. Shit I will never give over or agree to.

The people in government considering legislation for this have no idea what the internet even is much less how technology works or how people pray on others online (beyond incendiary remarks on social platforms). 

They want to watch what we buy, what were looking at online and who we speak to/what we say. They want it to much they don't realise they are inviting the lowest of the low to a feeding frenzy. 

Data centres are breached all the time proving no security is good enough to one with the time and resources. The amount of occasions I've heard that famous line "your data is secure" only for it to be proven to be false time and again. 

There are many concerns but this for me is the main reason.

thegamerofclosets

Absolutely no feckin way would I welcome it. 

What Kier Starmer et al are doing presently is deliberately flooding the UK with even more illegal migrants in an effort to cause even more social unrest so they can say "look, to sort this out everyone needs a Digital ID".

This is Tony Blair's wet dream (as well as that of his WEF cronies).

No. It's an instrument of tyranny and if you support it you're tyranny's useful idiot and will deserve it when the government rounds you up to kill, which they inevitably will as they gain more power.

StrictDelivery6462

Do not like the idea, it's an intrusion on privacy.

With the rise of fascism. I don't trust it one bit. Even if you said "Oh they're not fascist, don't be silly" It's not the current government I'm worried about. It's the next one or even worse, the multi billion companies that don't apply by the rules. You really think they're going to approve your ID for nothing? They love data and they will use it to track you, what you're looking at and more. Pair that with an authoritarian or hegemony and you're suddenly surveillanced and policed in your every day life. Na I ain't trusting it one bit

It's a thread, but at the same time, it's extremely useful for other purposes such as having a digital driving license or passport to hand when travelling. Just for driving or getting alcohol alone

eachtoxicwolf

In 2025 I’m working under the assumption there are hundreds of companies I’ve never heard of who somehow hold some of my data so, as long as I don’t get robbed, I don’t really care either way.

HotelPuzzleheaded654

I’m assuming there will be different levels of detail and permissions for an ID from both sides. It might be two way, similar to how our phones ask us to grant permission for apps to access our camera, location or contacts. 

A pub might request permission to check if the customer is over 18 if they suspect they’re underage - the customer grants them the ability just to check that fact with no other details passed over - no name, address or date of birth - pubs just have the ability to get a yes/no on if they’re over 18.  A solicitors firm might have the ability to request a persons name, address and date of birth - and you get to give permission for that.

Practically that approach it’s more privacy focused than handing over your entire passport or drivers license containing personal details to someone at Wetherspoons just to buy a pint, instead you’d wave your phone over a contactless reader to prove you’re over 18 - no one sees your personal details.

underwhelm_me

Several European countries have implemented a similar system with success, so yes I'd welcome it. Whether or not it'd be implemented competently is another matter. But I don't subscribe to the idea of it being the first rung on the ladder towards 1984.

LaurusUK

Eggs in one basket you say, sounds like a scammers wet dreams

Significant_Oil_3204

I've seen some of the code bases of government systems and national health service. It would be an absolute liability.

designerPat

I got no idea why people are against a Digital ID or a National ID. It would be so useful.

LatelyPode

I think everyone should need to provide an ID to get online. It would very quickly make the internet a cleaner and safer place. People can post the most disgraceful things without any consequence and that needs to change.  I also think if adults can’t even manage screen time responsibly then kids should definitely  be protected from it. 

Extra-Fisherman-995

No.
It can't be trusted with the rise of AI.

Living_the_Limit

Meh. What I will say is that I don't really understand the complaints being aired here. There's talk of a central database that could be hacked or leaked, but all the information attached to your driving licence and passport, including biometrics, is *already* stored in government databases. All this does is attach that record to something on your phone rather than a physical document.

I welcome any civilised replies to explain what, if anything, I've misunderstood.

I_ALWAYS_UPVOTE_CATS

In theory, it could be fine.
I just don't trust capitalism not to destroy the whole thing.

ThisCouldBeDumber

Government already has all of your information. 

It has your:  

HMRC Number. 

National insurance number. 

NHS number. 

Electoral roll registration. 

All bank account details. 

Your internet history. 

DVLA information.

No10UpVotes

New petition against digital ID:

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/730194

Only at 2k so everyone needs to sign and share this around!

AsakusaExPat

Resident Registration (Meldepflicht) was used in Weimar Germany post 1900. 

 It was broadened. In 1938, Jews were forced to carry identity cards stamped with a “J” and to adopt the names Sara or Israel as middle names.

Passports were also marked for Jews and others deemed “undesirable. 

- drafting men into the Wehrmacht.

- locating “asocials,” Roma, political opponents, and especially Jews for deportation.

 - implementing racial laws (Nuremberg Laws), which required tracing ancestry via vital records.

Perhaps Starmer is a closet admirer of all things Nazi ?

mydogmuppet

It's a great idea. Much more convenient for the honest citizen and alot more inconvenient for the dishonest.

cheeseley6

I straight up support ID cards as having one would have made my life so much easier.

West_Vanilla7017

worldly_refuse

Discussions around digital identity systems highlight the potential and challenges in various countries, transforming public services and user privacy considerations.

Digital Identity Systems and Their Impact

Why This Matters

Public Sentiment Summary

Highlighted Comments

Parties Involved

What the people want