In this episode of "Nerding Out with Viktor," host Viktor Petersson sits down with James Baker, Policy and Campaigns Manager at Open Rights Group, to explore the real-world impact of the UK Online Safety Act and proposed Digital ID systems. Together, they unpack how the UK's approach to digital identity is raising concerns about centralization, privacy, and long-term control over personal data.

James shares his experience fighting the UK's original ID card proposal and why current models risk repeating the same mistakes—only with more data and less oversight. The conversation covers how enforcement is playing out across infrastructure, the role of companies like Palantir, and how surveillance tools like facial recognition and metadata scanning are already affecting users and platforms.

Viktor and James delve into the technical and policy implications of centralized identity systems, examining how seemingly convenient digital ID solutions can create unprecedented opportunities for surveillance and control. They discuss the challenges facing platforms trying to comply with age verification requirements while protecting user privacy, and why the current regulatory approach may be fundamentally incompatible with secure, decentralized systems.

The discussion also explores the broader implications for encryption, anonymity, and digital rights in an increasingly surveilled digital landscape. James provides insights into how civil liberties organizations are pushing back against overreaching legislation, and what individuals and organizations can do to protect privacy and freedom in the digital age.

This episode is especially relevant for anyone working on identity, encryption, or infrastructure. It offers a clear look at how policy and implementation intersect—and why design choices today matter more than ever for the future of digital rights and privacy.