The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has confirmed via a Freedom of Information response that it holds thousands of documents related to its participation in global digital governance efforts, including digital identity systems, trust frameworks, and digital public infrastructure. The FOI request, submitted in collaboration with Together Declaration, revealed that one UN-led programme alone generated nearly 2,000 documents involving UK officials.
The FCDO declined to release the full set of materials, citing the cost of retrieval as excessive under FOI rules. While this doesn’t confirm the content of the documents, it does verify the UK’s embedded role in shaping international digital ID standards—alongside organizations like the UN and World Economic Forum. The admission came in a letter dated 19 June 2025, received on 4 July, suggesting internal delays in processing or clearance.
NOW — The UK Government has quietly admitted it holds thousands of documents relating to its involvement in global digital governance and digital ID programmes led by the UN and World Economic Forum.
Following a Freedom of Information request in collaboration with @Togetherdec,… pic.twitter.com/rFInGOwvp0
— Lewis Brackpool (@Lewis_Brackpool) July 4, 2025
This development adds weight to concerns that the UK’s involvement in global digital identity architecture is unfolding without public debate, parliamentary scrutiny, or media coverage. The government’s domestic digital identity legislation, including the Data (Use and Access) Act passed in June 2025, focuses on enabling secure verification services and trust frameworks within the UK economy. However, the FOI response points to a broader, international role that has not been publicly detailed.
https://www.weforum.org/publications/reimagining-digital-id/
