Interconnected Stories from the U.K. and U.S.
Two seemingly unrelated stories from different countries are actually quite intertwined.
In the U.K., the government is moving forward with plans for a mandatory digital ID system. At the same time, U.S. Deputy Director of the FBI, Dan Bongino, informed nine Republican Congress members that the FBI, under former President Biden, allegedly surveilled them as part of the investigations related to January 6, conducted by Special Counsel Jack Smith.
This alleged surveillance targeted eight U.S. Senators and one House member, all known supporters of President Trump, during the FBI’s probe into January 6. It reportedly involved collecting their cell phone metadata from service providers, including details about call logs and locations.
The Biden FBI spied on Republicans who support @realDonaldTrump. This was the weaponization of one of our nation’s top intelligence agencies, and those responsible must be held to account.
— Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) October 6, 2025
Meanwhile, in September, the U.K. government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, announced intentions to roll out the BritCard, a digital identity program aimed at establishing the right to live and work in the country. The government presents it as a free and secure method for citizens and residents to access services while combating illegal employment and fraud.
They assure everyone that it won’t turn into a Communist-style social credit system. Just give up a bit of your freedom, they say, and you won’t need a physical ID. It’s a classic government pitch. I mean, how often do they say, “Trust us; we’re here to help” and then do something unexpected?
While it appears the two narratives aren’t coordinated, they reflect a broader trend toward increased state surveillance. Both the U.K. and U.S. seem to be using digital tools for monitoring and data collection, raising concerns about an emerging surveillance state.
For Americans, it’s sobering to realize that our country was almost just one election away from adopting a similar digital ID system. Bongino claims the FBI has stepped back from spying on U.S. citizens, but really, that seems hard to believe. The history of intelligence agencies in this country suggests a more complex reality.
In the U.K., there’s growing resistance as millions are signing petitions against the BritCard, labeling it as authoritarian overreach. The current government seems more focused on an agenda that doesn’t necessarily align with the public’s interests, putting citizens in a delicate position. It’s not just about the government accessing data but also how U.S. and U.K. tech companies play a role in this surveillance.
Old school Nokia phones making a comeback to avoid Keir Starmer’s mandatory digital ID. Is a counter culture revolution against tech entrapment on the horizon?
— James Melville 🚜 (@JamesMelville) October 7, 2025
As troubling as it is to watch the U.K. head down this difficult path, it may serve as a warning for American citizens. With tech firms like Oracle and Palantir merging corporate interests with government power, the situation is more concerning than it might seem.
