The problem is not the ID cards that other countries have. That would be reasonable, even if one could argue NINO is sufficient.

The problem is the online/app nature if them which, in conjunction with OSA, makes it dystopian control scenario.

I’m not ignoring those upsides that you mentioned, I just didn’t mention them or wasn’t aware. I like most of them for what it matters.

But I do still consider OSA and digital IDs an authoritarian measures and I do find this to be of high enough importance to potentially overshadow all of the above.

What’s the point of living in a, arguably, more socialist state if your privacy doesn’t exist? I’m not a bloody tanky and I don’t like that angle, like many others.

His supposedly labour government has also doubled down on censoring wikipedia, calling people pedo-sympathizers for resisting absurd internet control laws that literally affect every digital facing international company, and is now promoting a digital ID straight out every digital era authoritatians or fascist’s wet dreams.

Is he better than sunak? Probably? Kinda? That’s a very low bar though and the fact that we even talk about it is sad. Their actions have been so much unlike what people think about when voting labour parties that it’s surreal.

People reasonably feel cheated on given the party’s supposed focus.

The realistic answer IMO is that SSD should be the default with client overrides being available.

Yes consistency is important but if someone wants to do something weird, let them. Open software ecosystems should prioritize flexibility like that.

Because it’s not about the kids.

The UK, or any government, could instead use the money for OSA to create a protocol/mandate that phone and net providers need to adhere to, which enables parents to restrict to adult content. Heck, phone-only sims and adult traffic control administered via “parent accounts” would deal with almost the entire problem seeing how most young people use phones for internet access anyways instead of laptops and desktops.

But it’s not about the kids. It’s about control and having an excuse to abolish privacy.

really puts me off the idea of incest

… wha-?

Isn’t that what’s called Astroturfing? Been happening for years sadly, I’m sure of it.