Digital IDs will no longer require sex and gender data, government confirms

The UK government has confirmed that sex and gender are “not necessary” to obtain a digital ID following concerns they could be used to out trans people.

Labour minister Darren Jones relaunched the government’s controversial digital ID scheme on Tuesday (10 March).

Originally announced in September, the scheme was compulsory for working UK citizens, but was quickly shuttered following widespread backlash.

The relaunched programme, which is now voluntary, contains several amendments which ministers say would turn it into a “one stop” app allowing anything from managing childcare to filing tax returns.

A report outlining the changes, published on the government’s website, confirms that information regarding a citizen’s sex or gender identity was “not necessary” for a digital ID to function.

According to the report, the digital ID app will require users to “programmatically” do biometric scans, such as fingerprint or face scans, to check whether the ID belongs to them. These checks will not require data on sex or gender, officials say, making the information unnecessary to collect.

“For these reasons, and in line with data minimisation principles, we do not intend to include sex or gender information in the digital ID,” the report reads.

Concerns over digital IDs outing trans people

Concerns were raised over whether the IDs would forcibly out trans UK citizens after prime minister Sir Keir Starmer announced the scheme in September. Many questioned whether Gender Recognition Certificates (GRCs) – documents that allow a trans person to use the correct gender markers on government documents – would be accepted.

Several members of the public expressed fears that the IDs would force citizens to designate their sex assigned at birth following the UK Supreme Court’s judgment that the Equality Act’s definition of a woman referred to biology only.

A section of the newly published report on groups that need specific support lists trans and non-binary people, as well as those who have recently changed their name or have “mismatched records.” Other groups include people in prison, sex workers, and low income individuals.

Jones told the BBC said the newly relaunched scheme focused on ensuring that “public services work for you.”

“ID will make that possible, allowing you to log on and prove who you are to access public services more quickly, easily and securely.”

He confirmed that the government scheme was still primarily designed to “crack down” on immigration, adding that digital right-to-work checks would become compulsory by 2029. However, digital IDs will no longer be the sole way of completing a check.

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