Michael Shellenberger Labels Digital ID Initiatives a 'Totalitarian Scam,' Citing Surveillance Concerns

Michael Shellenberger, a prominent author and activist, has vehemently criticized digital identity programs, labeling them a "totalitarian digital ID scam" and asserting that such initiatives should "bring down every politician who has pushed for it." His remarks, shared via social media, underscore growing concerns among civil liberties advocates regarding the potential for widespread surveillance and control inherent in these systems. Shellenberger views these proposals as part of a broader trend toward digital authoritarianism.

Shellenberger argues that digital ID systems, often introduced under the guise of age verification or online safety, function as a "Trojan horse" for expanding state power. He warns that by tying age verification to centralized identity credentials, these systems threaten to normalize mandatory digital identification for all internet activity, potentially becoming impossible to roll back once implemented. This concern is echoed by privacy groups who fear a "dystopian nightmare" where citizens are forced through "myriad digital checkpoints" in daily life.

Critics, including organizations like Liberty and Big Brother Watch, contend that such systems are likely to be "even more intrusive, insecure and discriminatory" than previous failed ID card schemes. Rebecca Vincent of Big Brother Watch highlighted the risk of creating a "domestic mass surveillance infrastructure" that could extend across public services, including benefits, tax, and healthcare. Former Cabinet Minister David Davis described the risks as "profoundly dangerous to the privacy and fundamental freedoms of the British people," citing a lack of government explanation on data protection.

Proponents, however, frame digital IDs as a modernization effort, touting benefits such as cracking down on illegal work, reducing fraud, and streamlining access to key services. Figures like Tony Blair, through his institute, advocate for a nationwide digital ID system as "civic infrastructure" and a "weapon against populism," suggesting that public resistance will diminish once faster services are offered. Despite these assurances, a poll commissioned by Big Brother Watch revealed that nearly two-thirds of the public already distrusts the government's ability to protect their data.