Why I’m Saying “No” to Mandatory Government‑ID Checks Online

I’ve started noticing a worrying trend: everywhere I go online — whether I’m signing up for a new bank account, joining a cloud‑storage service, or just trying to comment on a social‑media post — I’m asked to scan or photograph my government‑issued ID. At first, the pitch sounds reasonable. Regulators say it’s all about stopping fraud, protecting minors, and keeping the internet safe. But the more I dig, the clearer it becomes that each extra piece of personal data I hand over is another brick in a massive, centralized tower of information. It seems to be “Give us your papers”.

That tower isn’t just a bureaucratic inconvenience; it’s a glittering target for hackers and a convenient gateway for state surveillance. Recent high‑profile breaches have shown how quickly a single leak can expose millions of identities, turning what should be a convenience into a ticking time bomb for my privacy and cybersecurity.

So, I’m asking myself (and you): isn’t there a better way? I’m convinced the answer lies in decentralized platforms that hand control back to users — solutions that let us enjoy the open, free internet without the looming shadow of mandatory government‑ID checks. Below is the full story of why I’m skeptical of the current direction, the risks of data aggregation, and the practical steps I take to keep my digital life truly private.

Why “Show‑Me‑Your‑Papers” Is Becoming a Gatekeeper

Governments worldwide are rapidly turning a once‑optional “show‑me‑your‑ID” check into a mandatory gatekeeper for almost every online service — from banking apps and cloud platforms to social networks and streaming sites. While regulators tout these measures as essential safeguards against fraud, money‑laundering, and under‑age access, the reality is a growing concentration of highly sensitive personal data in the hands of a few powerful providers.

Each new verification request adds another piece to a sprawling, centralized repository that, if compromised, becomes a treasure trove for hackers and an easy target for state surveillance. In short, the very tools meant to protect us are quietly building a digital “microscope” that can watch, record, and potentially expose every click, comment, and transaction we make online.

How I Keep My Browsing Privately When Everyone Wants My “Papers”?

When the next website pops up asking for a driver’s license, passport scan, or any other government‑issued ID, I pause and ask myself: Do I really need to hand over that document just to read an article or watch a video? The short answer is no—there are plenty of ways to stay safe, stay anonymous, and still enjoy the web without handing the authorities—or any corporate data‑collector—a copy of my “papers.” Below are the habits and tools I rely on daily.

1. Use a Privacy‑First Browser (and Keep It Updated)

I start every browsing session with a browser that blocks trackers by default. My go‑to choices are Brave, Firefox with uBlock Origin & Privacy Badger, or Tor Browser for the most sensitive tasks. I enable “Do Not Track,” turn on HTTPS‑Only mode, and keep the browser patched.

2. Hide My Real IP Address

A trusted VPN—Proton VPN for its strict no‑logs policy and Swiss jurisdiction—covers my IP. When a service blocks VPNs, I fall back to a reputable Smart DNS. For the highest anonymity, I open the site in a new Tor tab. I always verify my exit IP with ipleak.net to ensure DNS, WebRTC, and IPv6 leaks are sealed.

3. Minimize Personal Data Footprints

• Disposable emails via ProtonMail aliases or SimpleLogin.
• Virtual phone numbers from Burner or Google Voice for SMS verification.
• Encrypted password manager notes (Bitwarden or Proton Pass) to store any required scans securely.

4. Embrace Decentralized Authentication When Possible

I look for services that accept Verifiable Credentials or Zero‑Knowledge Proofs. A digital age‑proof from my university lets me prove “I’m over 18” without revealing my birth date.

5. Use Encrypted, Peer‑to‑Peer Alternatives for Content

For articles, videos, or files I prefer IPFS gateways [An IPFS gateway is a web service that lets you retrieve or view files  stored on the decentralized IPFS network using a standard HTTP URL.], WebTorrent [A peer‑to‑peer streaming protocol that lets browsers and  desktop apps download and share files directly from other users’ devices  (using WebRTC in the browser) instead of pulling the whole file from a  single central server.], or Matrix/Element for chat. These networks distribute data across many nodes, drastically cutting down the amount of metadata any single company can collect about my activity.

Some Examples of IPFS

• ipfs.io – the official public gateway (https://ipfs.io/ipfs/<CID>)
• pinata.cloud – Pinata’s gateway for pinned content (https://gateway.pinata.cloud/ipfs/<CID>)
• nft.storage – a gateway focused on NFT assets (https://nft.storage/ipfs/<CID>)

Replace <CID> with the content identifier you want to retrieve, and the gateway will serve the file over ordinary HTTPS.

6. Regularly Clean Up Traces

I clear cookies, site data, and cache after each session, use Cookie AutoDelete to purge storage for sites I no longer visit, periodically reset my browser profile to break long‑term fingerprinting, and audit/revoke unused OAuth tokens from my Google, Apple, and Microsoft accounts.

7. Stay Informed – Turn On Alerts for New Regulations

I subscribe to newsletters from the Electronic Frontier Foundation, Privacy International, and the Proton Blog. I also set Google Alerts for “government ID verification law” + my country so I hear about new mandates before they become mandatory.

While adoption is still early, these tools are maturing fast. When major platforms start accepting DIDs or ZKPs, I’ll be ready to swap out traditional ID checks for cryptographically proven attributes.

Putting It All Together

Privacy isn’t a single product — it’s a habit stack. By combining a privacy‑first browser, a trustworthy VPN, disposable contact info, decentralized authentication, and regular housekeeping, I can surf the web, stream videos, and interact on social platforms without surrendering my “papers” to every service that asks for them.

The next time a site demands a scan of your Driver’s License, Passport, or other Government-Issued ID  — remember: you have the power to say no and still enjoy the internet on your terms. Keep experimenting, stay curious, and let the tools that champion user sovereignty guide your digital journey.

Ready to take control?

• Try Proton VPN and Proton Mail today.
• Install Brave or Firefox with privacy extensions.
• Explore a Mastodon instance or set up your own (There are many tutorials available).
• Play with a DID wallet [A DID wallet is a secure app that stores and manages decentralized  identifiers (DIDs) and their cryptographic credentials, letting you  prove attributes (like age or membership) without sharing your actual  personal data.] (SpruceID, Trinsic) for verifiable credentials.

Bottom line: Government‑mandated ID verification does  concentrate risk, but you can mitigate that risk by choosing services  that limit data collection, employing cryptographic identity proofs, and  gradually moving parts of your digital life onto decentralized  platforms. It’s a journey rather than a single switch, and each  incremental step strengthens your privacy shield while keeping you  functional in a world that still demands some level of identification.

Your digital freedom starts with a single decision—choose privacy, and the internet can remain the open arena it was meant to be. Happy (and private) browsing!