Starmer Looks to India for Example on UK Plan for Digital ID

Keir Starmer, the British Prime Minister, has sought guidance from India on implementing a digital ID system in the UK. Starmer met with a key architect of India's Aadhaar digital ID program, as the UK government looks to develop a similar system. The meeting aimed to learn from India's experience in rolling out Aadhaar, the world's largest biometric ID program, which has faced privacy concerns but has also enabled access to government services. Starmer is interested in exploring how a UK digital ID could improve public service delivery and combat fraud. The article notes that the UK's plans for a digital ID system remain in the early stages, and there are ongoing debates around privacy, data protection, and the voluntary nature of such a program. The meeting with the Indian official is seen as part of the UK government's efforts to gather international insights as it develops its own approach to digital identification.