Brits vow to revert to dumbphones to avoid Starmer’s digital ID cards

These days, most smartphones are kitted out with facial recognition technology, multiple cameras and wireless charging systems.

But back in the 90s we were much more easily impressed, with handsets causing a stir if they had a camera at all.

Now, it seems these so–called ‘dumbphones’ are having a resurgence – fuelled by Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s plans to introduce mandatory digital ID cards for every UK citizen.

Following the announcement of the so–called ‘Brit–Card’ – a digital ID card that will include your name, date of birth, and a photo as well as information on your nationality and residency status – several Brits have vowed to revert to retro devices.

Taking to X, one user said: ‘Cant make me have digital ID if i have a Nokia 3210.’ 

Another wrote: ‘There’s only one way to deal with digital ID. Everybody revert back to the Nokia 6210.’

And one joked: ‘Looks like Nokia 402’s are back on the menu boys!’

The news come shortly after more than 2.5 million people signed a petition against plans for new digital ID cards, which called it a ‘step towards mass surveillance and digital control’. 

The idea to switch to a so–called ‘dumb phone’ comes from the fact that the digital ID is expected to be downloadable from a government app.

The ID will be securely stored on the smartphone itself, just like how contactless payment cards and data on the NHS App are stored today.

Social media users have therefore leapt to the conclusion that they can avoid downloading a digital ID by switching to a phone that can’t run the government app.

One commenter wrote: ‘This is why I opted for an old school flip phone instead of a ‘smart’ phone. Can’t put apps on it, therefore no tracking apps. No digital I.D.’

‘No Palantir digital ID for me. I’d rather get a flip phone,’ added another.

While another suggested that it was ‘time to buy that dumb phone’.

One social media user on X even boasted that they had already ordered a dumb phone with no apps, WiFi, and only limited internet access in preparation for the introduction of digital ID.

However, for those planning to ditch their smartphones and dodge the digital ID, it was Nokia’s legendary ‘brick phones’ that stood out as the obvious choice.

Throughout the 1990s, Nokia released a series of extremely popular mobile phones which, despite being basic by modern standards, were relatively advanced for the time.

In addition to being famously near–indestructible, these were the first phones to feature an internal antenna, texting functions, custom ringtones, and preinstalled games like Snake.

So, as privacy–keen commenters began to look for a smartphone alternative, many joked that these classic designs might make a comeback.

‘There’s only one way to deal with digital ID. Everybody revert back to the Nokia 6210,’ one commenter wrote.

Another social media user added: ‘Can’t make me have a digital ID if I have a Nokia 3210.’

One commenter joked: ‘Looks like Nokia 402s are back on the menu boys!’

While another mused: ‘Think I might ditch my smartphones and get an old Nokia flip phone.’

Unfortunately, these plans rest on a misunderstanding of how the new digital ID system is intended to work.

Under the plans, UK residents won’t be required to carry a phone with a digital ID downloaded with them at all times.

Nor will the police be able to demand to see your digital ID, just as the police cannot currently demand that you produce identification beyond asking for your name and address.

The only time that a digital ID will be legally required is to check that you have the right to work in the UK, something that employers are already legally required to do.

Digital ID will not change when and where UK residents are required to present ID; the only difference is that employers would need to check the digital ID rather than other valid documents.

That means changing to a dumbphone won’t change when you need to carry an ID or remove the obligation to present a digital ID when starting a new job.

For people who don’t have a smartphone or can’t use one, the government says that it is planning to make the new system ‘inclusive’.

The government says that it will ‘Ensure there are alternative routes to obtain the digital ID for those who cannot use a smartphone, or need extra assistance.’

However, the technical details of this plan are still under consultation, so it is not yet clear what alternatives will be available.