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How is India's Aadhaar system different from the UK's planned Brit Card?
India's Aadhaar system, launched in 2009, provides biometric-based digital IDs to over 1.3 billion people, enabling access to a wide range of government services. The UK's Brit Card aims to be a narrower digital ID focused mainly on employment verification, excluding biometric data. While Aadhaar is extensive and biometric, the Brit Card will primarily verify identity for work-related purposes without collecting biometric information.
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What are the main privacy concerns with India's Aadhaar system?
Aadhaar has faced criticism over privacy and data security, including fears of data leaks and misuse. Critics argue that centralizing biometric data and personal information could lead to surveillance or exclusion of minorities. Despite its success, privacy advocates warn that without strict safeguards, Aadhaar could compromise individual privacy and civil liberties.
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Will the UK adopt biometric data like India for its digital ID?
The UK’s proposed Brit Card will not include biometric data, unlike Aadhaar. Instead, it will focus on verifying identity through other means, such as digital certificates or secure databases, to address privacy concerns. The UK aims to create a more limited, privacy-conscious system that helps combat illegal work without the risks associated with biometric data collection.
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Can digital IDs help fight illegal work and migration?
Yes, digital IDs can be a powerful tool to verify employment status and prevent illegal work. The UK plans to use the Brit Card mainly for employment verification, making it harder for illegal workers to operate without proper identification. However, implementing such systems also raises questions about privacy, civil liberties, and how to ensure fair access for all.
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What lessons can the UK learn from India’s Aadhaar experience?
The UK can learn from Aadhaar’s scale and technological success, but also from its privacy controversies. Ensuring strong data protection, transparency, and safeguards will be crucial. The UK’s focus on a narrower, less invasive system aims to balance the benefits of digital ID with civil liberties, avoiding some of the pitfalls faced by Aadhaar.