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Hippo Digital Reveals UK Digital ID Plan Stumbles over Public Trust

Identity and Access Management

The Business Honor: UK Digital ID Trust Risk Today

Business Honor
08 January, 2026

Hippo Digital Uncovers Widespread Confusion and Trust Barriers Challenging UK's National Digital Identity Wallet Implementation.

A Web-based survey of the population completed in December 2020 concludes that there are significant gaps in understanding the proposed Digital Identity Wallet for the UK. During a presentation, Hippo Digital CEO Adam Lewis indicated that transparency into how personal identity data will be treated and leveraged is at the heart of public concern. There is a fear of the government misusing this information in multiple ways such as consolidating personal data; monitoring or surveilling people; and how this new infrastructure may benefit the government in the future.

Hippo Digital Senior User Researcher Lauren Gorton identified a complex array of factors contributing to people’s lack of trust. People appear to prefer to use government-managed identity services to any service offered by a corporation. Almost 25% of respondents cannot complete very basic Digital skills and this is due to limited understanding of the general idea of Digital ID Systems. Following the survey's completion, the consultancy has provided the first in a series of three webinars that are going to delve deeper into the current state of Digital Identity implementation.

The digital identity program has potential to yield many advantages including reduced fraud, easier access to governments and the ability to de-fragment data that is scattered. Lewis suggested that practical ways to show how citizens will benefit from a digital identity would assist in building public understanding; like for example, not requiring copies of bank or utility statements in order to verify one's identity. As much as Lewis is optimistic, he recognizes that the majority are doubtful. He states that it is essential for the technology industry to communicate more effectively how a digital identity wallet can assist individuals.