Tony Blair calls for digital IDs to fight coronavirus

Tony Blair has called for the introduction of digital IDs in a bid to fight coronavirus.

The former British Prime Minister believes digital IDs represent a logical step forward amid the health crisis, with Blair saying it will help to keep a record of those vaccinated against the disease.

He said: "You'll want a record kept by the government of who's been vaccinated - this will be essential, again, to restoring confidence."

And according to Blair, improvements in technology mean privacy concerns can easily be overcome.

He told the BBC: "You don't need a large amount of information. People give a lot more information to their supermarkets than they do to the government."

However, the proposal has already been shot down by Silkie Carlo, a director of Big Brother Watch, a civil liberties campaign group.

Silkie explained: "The idea of digital ID and vaccination checks could easily lead to a health apartheid that few would expect of a democratic country.

"Digital IDs would lead to sensitive records spanning medical, work, travel, and biometric data about each and every one of us being held at the fingertips of authorities and state bureaucrats.

"This dangerous plan would normalize identity checks, increase state control over law abiding citizens and create a honey pot for cybercriminals."

© BANG Media International